U.C.D.  LIBRARY 


CALIFORNIA    STATE    MINING    BUREAU 

FERRY  BUILDING,  SAN  FRANCISCO 
FLETCHER  HAMILTON  State  Mineralogist 


San  Francisco]  BULLETIN  No.  78  [May,  1918 


Quicksilver  Resources 
of  California 


WITH  A  SECTION  ON 

METALLURGY  AND  ORE-DRESSING 


By 
WALTER  W.  BRADLEY,  E.  M. 


COMPttWENTS    Of 
FLETCHER  HAMILTON 

STAU    I^INEKALQGIST 


CAUFORXIA  STATE  PRINTING  OFFICE 

SACRAMENTO 

19  18 


UCBtTORARY 


CONTENTS. 


Vuge 

LETTER    OF   TRANSMITTAL 7 

PREFACE  8 

Faut  I. 

MINES  AND  GEOLOGY. 

Chapter  1. 

INTRODUCTION    9 

Uses 9 

Production   and   Prices 9 

Present   Economic    Situation 12 

Chapter  2. 

GENERAL  GEOLOGY  OF  THE  DEPOSITS  AND  THEORIES   07  ORE 

DEPOSITION 17 

Geographical    Distribution 17 

Geologic   Formations  of  the  Middle  Coast  Ranges 17 

Age  of  the  Ore  Deposits 18 

The  Franciscan  Group , 19 

Character  and  Age  of  European  Quicksilver  Deposits 21 

The   Ore   Deposition 21 

Form  of  the  Deposits 23 

Chapter  3. 

MERCURY   MINERALS ; 25 

Associated  and  Gangue  Minerals 28 

Chapter  4. 

CALIFORNIA    DISTRICTS 30 

MINES    AND    PLANTS,    ALPHABETICALLY    BY    COUNTIES 35 

•Alameda    35 

Calaveras     35 

Colusa 36 

Contra  Costa 41 

Del   Norte    41 

El  Dorado   42 

Fresno 43 

Glenn    46 

Humboldt 46 

Into    46 

Kern    47 

Kings    _ 50 

Lake    52 

Los   Angeles    70 

Marin 70 

Mariposa 71 

Mendocino 71 

Merced 72 

Modoc 72 

Mono    72 

Monterey    73 

Napa 76 

Nevada    92 

Orange   92 

San    Benito   93 

San   Bernardino 123 

San  Francisco 124 

San  Luis  Obispo 124 

San  Mateo 149 

Santa  Barbara 150 

Santa   Clara   154 


91579 


4  CONTENTS. 

MINES   AND   PLANTS — Contimie-d.  P.ise 

Shasta 168 

Siskiyou    169 

Solano 171 

Sonoma   ISl 

Stanislaus 197 

Trinity    200 

Tuolumne 203 

Yolo   204 

Part  II. 
METALLURGY. 

Chapter   1. 

INTRODUCTION  AND  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 206 

METALLURGY  OF  MERCURY,  OR  QUICKSILVER 207 

Furnaces    209 

Retorts 210 

Coarse-ore  furnaces   220 

Fine-ore  furnaces '■ —   226 

Losses ■ 241 

Costs    -- -_ 243 

Percentage  of  extraction 245 

Revolving-  furnaces 247 

Multiple-hearth   type 250 

Drying  the  ore 254 

Condensers     255 

Soot 271 

QUICKSILVER   ASSAYS    277 

Chapter  2. 

CONCENTRATION  OF  QUICKSILVER  ORES 286 

The   Author's   Experiments 286 

On   tables,    with   water 294 

By   flotation,    with   oils 300 

By  solution,  with  an  alkaline  sulphide 321 

PRACTICAL  APPLICATIONS  OF  CONCENTRATION  TO  QUICKSILA'ER  ORES 

IN   CALIFORNIA 329 

ESTIMATES  OF  CONCENTRATION  COSTS 349 

REDUCTION  OF  CONCENTRATES 350 

ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  ALKALINE   SULPHIDE   METHOD _ 351 

CONCLUSIONS 352 

Part  III. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY  ON  QUICKSILVER. 

PART   A:    RE   ASSAYS.   CHEMISTRY,    ORE-DRESSING,    METALLl-RGY.    ETC.    3.-)4 
PART  B  :  RE  CALIFORNIAN  OCCURRENCES  ON  GEOLOGY,  MINERALOGY, 

AND    MINE    EQUIPMENTS 358 

PUBLICATIONS  OF  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU 363 

INDEX     367 

ILLUSTRATIONS.     . 

Photographs  P'<se 

1.  A  shipment  of  300  flasks  of  quicksilver  from  the  New  Idria  mine 10 

2.  Hot  salino-sulphur  water  flowing  from  tunnel  of  Elgin  mine 37 

3.  Furnace  at  New  Mercy    (Pacific)    mine 44 

4.  Drawing  off  burned  ore,   New  Mercy  mine 45 

5.  Cuddeback  cinnabar  mine  near  Teliachapi 47 

6.  Micro-photograph  of  porphyritic  rhyolite  carrying  cinnabar,  from  Cuddeback 

mine    4° 

7.  Ten-ton    Scott   fine-ore   furnace   and   condensers   of   Kings   Quicksilver   Mining 

Company.  Ltd. ^^ 

8.  Retorts  and  condensers  at  the  Big  In.jun  mine 57 

9.  Fifty-ton  Scott  furnace  at  the  Helen  mine 60 

10.    Panoramic   view   of   the   Sulpliur    r,;mk    mine 64 


CONTENTS.  5 

I  LLl'STUATK  iXS — Continueil. 
Photographs  Page 

11.  Exfoliation  of  basalt  at  Sulphur   IJank  mine ^  65 

12.  Hot  springs  in  bottom  of  'Western  Cut'  at  Sulphur  Bank  mine 66 

13.  Patriqiiin   mine,    near   Parkfield 74 

14.  Bins  and  furnace  plant  at  the  ^Etna  mine 79 

15.  F'lirnaces  at   La  Joya  mine 85 

16.  Dumps  of  low-grade  ore  at  Oat  Hill  mine 88 

17.  Serpentine  surface  near  New  Idria 94 

IS.   Rotary  furnace,  Aurora  mine 100 

in.   Old  and  new  prospect  tunnels,  Florence  Mack  mine 104 

20.  Characteristic  outcrops  at  Los  Picachos  Peak,   Hernandez  miae 1(16 

21.  Panoramic  view  of  New  Idria  mine,  plant  and  town 108 

22.  Flashlight  view  in  square-set  stope,  New  Idria  mine : 111 

23.  Ore   trains  at  New  Idria  mine 113 

24.  New  Idria  mine,  showing  open  cuts  and  dumps 114 

25.  San  Carlos  mine,  open  cut  above  No.  2  level 116 

26.  Blower  and  stack  from  fine-ore  furnace,  New  Idria  mine 118 

27.  Detail  of  tramway  and  ore-bin,  Cambria  mine 130 

28.  Old  coarse-ore  quicksilver  furnace,  erected  1873  at  Keystone  mine 134 

2Sa.  Klau  mine,   showing  old  stopes  and  drifts  exposed  by  later,  open-cut  opera- 
tions   -- 136 

29.  Open   cuts  at  Oceanic  mine 141 

30.  Micro-photograph  of  diorite-gabbro  at  the  Oceanic  mine 142 

31.  Plant  of  Oceanic  mine 143 

32.  Tramway  unloading  terminal  at  Oceanic  mine 145 

33.  Open  cut  at  Milburn-McAvoy   (Los  Prietos)    mine 151 

34.  Guadalupe  mine 158 

35.  Cottrell  dust  precipitator,  or  'hot  treater,'  at  Senator  mine 165 

35a.  New  90-ton  Scott  furnace  at  Senator  mine 166 

36.  St.   John's  mine,   near  Vallejo — 177 

37.  Cloverdale   mine    184 

38.  Great  Eastern  mine,  near  Guerneville 188 

39.  -Socrates  mine   surface  plant 194 

40.  Fifty-ton  Scott  furnace  and  condensers  at  Phoenix  Mines 199 

41.  'D'  retorts  at  ^Etna  mine : 212 

42.  Johnson-McKay   retort,   showing  circulation   system 213 

43.  Charging  a  Johnson-McKay  retort  at  the  Patriquin  mine 214 

4  4.   A  battery   (12  pipes)    of  Johnson-McKay  retorts  at  the  Klau  mine 215 

45.  Livingston  furnace  under  construction  at  La  Joya  mine 216 

46.  Neate  coarse-ore  furnaces,  at  the  Bella  Union  mine ;_  223 

47.  Livermore  furnace  at  Cloverdale  mine 226 

48.  Ray  electric  oil-burners  on  Livermore  furnace  at  Cloverdale  mine 227 

49.  Side  view  of  50-ton  Scott  furnace  at  Oceanic  mine 229 

50.  Quicksilver  in  earth  and  sand  under  site  of  old  furnaces  at  New  Almaden 242 

51.  Rotary  ore-drier  above  Scott  furnace  at  Socrates  mine 247 

52.  New  rotary  quicksilver  furnace  at  New  Idria  mine 248 

53.  HerreschoiTE  multiple-hearth   furnace  at   Senator  mine 251 

54.  Top,  or  drying-hearth  of  Herreschoff  furnace 252 

55.  Cottrell  precipitator,  or  'cold  treater'  at  Senator  inine 253 

56.  Scott  furnace  and  condensers  at  Klau  mine 254 

57.  Ore  drier  at  St.   John's  mine 255 

.")8.   Condensers  at  New  Mercy    (Pacific)    mine 257 

59.  Barren  condensers  at  New  Idria  mine 258 

60.  Round,  wooden  condensers  at  New  Idria  mine 259 

61.  Rectangular,  wooden  condenser  and  flue,  at  Oceanic  mine 260 

62.  Condenser  pipes  of  Johnson-McKay  retorts  at  Patriquin  mine 261 

63.  Condenser  system  on  Johnson-McKay  retorts  at  Sulphur  Bank  mine 262 

64.  Condensers  and  vitrifled-pipe  flues  at  /Etna  mine ' 264 

65.  Condenser  flues  at  New   Idria  mine 265 

66.  Cleaning  up  one  of  the  new  wooden  condensers  at  New  Idria 274 

67.  Soot   mill   at  New   Idria   mine 275 

68.  Whitton  quicksilver-assay  apparatus,   showing  component  parts 283 

69.  Whitton  quicksilver-assay  apparatus,   assembled 284 

70.  Crushing  and   grinding  floor   in   mill   of  Department  of  Mining,   University  of 

California,    Berkeley    286 

71.  Hyde    ('Slide')    laborator.v  flotation   machine 300 


6 


CONTENTS. 


ILLUSTRATIONS— Continued. 

Phot()grai)lis  Page 

72.  Case  l.-ilmiatoix-   lldlation   Muuliine 301 

73.  Froth  on  a   notation  test  with  tlie  Case  machine 302 

74.  Neill  .lis,  and  New  Staniiavd  table  in  plant  of  Oat  Hill  Leasing  Company,  Oat 

Jlill     mine I 333 

75.  Gilpin  County    (Colorado)    bumping  tables  in  mill  at  ^Etna  mine 33ri 

76.  Flotation  concentrates  drying  in  the  sun  at  the  Senator  mine 344 

77.  Gravel-washing  plant  for  recovering  metallic  quicksilver  from  material  exca- 

vated from  old  furnace  sites  at  Hacienda  of  New  Almaden  Company :;4.") 

Plates  (colored  and  liiie-cutsV 

I.      Production  and  average  prict'  of  quicksilver  in  California,  1850-1917_  11 

IL     San  Francisco  quotations  on  quicksilver,  January,  1914-March,  19is_  lii 

TIT.      Outline  map  of  California,  .allowing  location  of  quicksilver  deposits..  17 

IV.      Color  plate  showing  quicksilver  ore  specimens 25 

V.      Geolo.gical  map  of  Mayacmas  District 30 

V].      Geological  map  of  portions  of  Napa,  Sonoma,  Lake,  and  Yolo  counties  32 

VTI     Geological  map  of  Sulphur  Creek  District 33  , 

A'lII.      Plan   and   elevation   of  Abbott  mine .54 

IX.      Geological  map  and  section  of  Sulphur  Bank  mine , 66i 

X.      Geological   map  of  Corona   mine S2 

XI.      Sketch  of  La  Joya  mine  workings 84 

XII.     Geologic  map  of  New  Idria  District 94 

XIII.  Geological  map  of  Stayton  District 96 

XIV.  Outline  of  orebody.  New  Idria  mine 110 

XV.      Geological    map    of    quicksilver    districts    in    northwestern    San    Luis 

Obispo   County    124 

XVI       Map  of  Cambria  mine  workings 129 

XVII.     Map  of  Oceanic  mine  workings 142 

XVIII.     Geologic  map  of  New  Almaden  District 154 

XIX.      Map  of  New  Almaden  mine 161 

XX.      (■.•■ologic  map  of  St.  John's  mine 173 

XXI.      Map  of  underground  workings,   160-foot  level,  St.  .John's  mine 176 

XXII.     Map  of  underground  workings,  St.  John's  mine 178 

XXIII.  Pipe  retort  furnace 211 

XXIV.  Plan  of  water-.iet  condenser  for  ciuicksilver  retort  at  Oat  Hill  mine 211 

XXV.      Lander's   continuous    retort 218 

XXVI.     Exeli   coarse-ore   furnace — 219 

XXVI I.      Knox-Osborne   coarse-ore   furnace 221 

XXVIII.     Neate  coarse-ore  furnace 222 

XXIX.     New  Idria   coarse-ore   furnace 224 

XXX.      Knox-Osborne  fine-ore  furnace 228 

XXXI.     Livermore  furnace 230 

XXXII.     Plan  of  Hiittner-Scott  furnace 231 

XXXIII.      Top  of  Hiittner-Scott  furnace 232 

XXIV.      Discharge  of  Scott  furnace 233 

XXXV.      Sketch  of  Scott   furnace  section 237 

XXXVI.      Chart  showing  condensation   temperatures  for  mercury  vapor  in  fur- 
nace gases 238 

XXX\'l-.\.     Revolving  quicksilver  furnace.  New  Idria  type 248 

XXXVI-11.      Flow  sheet  of  New  Idria  revolving  furnace  plant : —  249 

XXWII.      Knox  ironclad  condenser 256 

XXXVIII.      Scott's  brick  condenser  plant 263 

XXXIX.     Whitton  quicksilver  apparatus 281 

XIj.      Plan  and  elevation  of  concentrating  system,  Manzanita  mine 331^ 

XI, I.      Kiffli-  unit.  Oat   Hill  mine 334 

XIJI.      Sketch  showing  general  llow-sheet  of  New  Idria  Quicksilver  Mining 

Companj-.    Ala.\-.    I'.tl7 -ilO 


LETTER  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 

To  Bis  E.rcflhncii,  flic  Hon.  AYilliam  D.  Stephens, 

Governor  of  flic  State  of  Califoniia. 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  Bulletin  No.  78  of  the 
State  ^Mining  Bureau,  on  the  Quicksilver  Resources  of  California. 

In  addition  to  data  relating'  to  the  mines  and  plants  of  the  state, 
gained  from  field  work  of  the  Bureau's  stalf.  this  bulletin  contains 
detailed  information  relative  to  the  treatment  of  quicksilver  ores.  ]\Iuch 
of  this  last-mentioned  data  is  new.  and  the  result  of  original  research 
by  the  author,  conducted  in  co-operation  between  the  State  Mining 
Bureau  and  the  Department  of  ^Metallurgy  of  the  University  of  Cali- 
fornia, with  some  data  also  from  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines  Experiment 
Station. 

California's  quicksilver  industry  being  a  vital  American  resource  in 
the  present,  great  world-war.  the  is.suance  of  this  bulletin  is  particu- 
larly opportune  at  this  time. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

Fletcher  Hamu^ton, 

State  ]\Iiueraloa"ist. 
Mav  22.  1918. 


PREFACE. 

The  bulletin  presented  herewith  is  the  combined  results  of  several 
seasons'  field  work  by  the  State  ^Mining  Bureau  during  the  past  four 
years,  brought  down  to  date  by  field  observations  of  the  author  during 
September  and  October,  1917.  It  also  includes  the  results  of  laboratory 
and  mill-test  investigations  of  the  author  relative  to  the  ore-dressing 
and  metallurgy  of  quicksilver.  Because  of  the  agitation  for,  and 
incpiiries  as  to  the  possibilities  of  improved  ore-dressing  and  metal- 
lurgical methods,  and  because  of  the  desirability  of  publishing  these 
results  at  an  early  date,  most  of  the  time  of  the  author  available  for 
this  work  was  given  to  a  study  of  these  phases  of  the  subject  rather 
than  to  a  further  detailed  study  of  the  geological  phases.  P'or  these 
reasons,  as  to  geological  data  we  have  drawn  freely  upon  previously 
published  reports,  particularly  the  very  detailed  accounts  of  Becker^ 
and  Forstner-,  and  have  also  utilized  in  part,  quicksilver  data  in  the 
more  recent  county  reports^  issued  by  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  as  fol- 
lows :  Counties  of  Colusa,  Fresno,  Kings,  Lake,  Monterey,  Napa,  San 
Benito,  Solano,  Sonoma  and  Yolo,  by  the  present  author;  Siskiyou  and 
Trinity,  by  G.  Chester  Brown ;  San  Benito  and  San  Luis  Obispo,  by 
C.  A.  Logan;  Santa  Barbara  and  Santa  Clara,  by  Emile  Hugnenin ; 
Stanislaus,  by  F.  L.  Lowell. 

The  author  wishes  to  here  acknowledge  the  uniform  courtesy  of  the 
various  mine  owners,  operatives,  and  company  officials,  and  especially 
the  hearty  co-operation  of  those  who  assisted  with  ore  samples  and  sug- 
gestions during  the  course  of  our  metallnrgical  investigations.  Specific 
mention  of  these  latter  is  given  in  the  introduction  to  the  section  on 
metallurgy  and  ore-dressing. 

Walter  W.  Bradley. 

San  Francisco,  May  15,  1918. 

'Becker,  G.  F.,  Geology  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:   U.  S.  Geol. 
Surv.  Mon.  XIII.   ISSS. 

^'Forstner,     Wm..     Quicksilver    resources     of    California:     Cal.     State     Min.     Bur., 
Bull.  27.  1903. 

'See  under  Bibliogri'aphy. 


PART  1. 
Chaptjir  1.  , 

INTRODUCTION. 

USES. 

The  important  uses  of  quicksilver  are  the  recovery  of  gold  and  silver 
from  ores  by  amalgamation,  the  manufacture  of  fulminate  for  explosive 
caps,  of  electrical  appliances  and  scientific  apparatus,  and  in  the 
preparation  of  drugs,  vermilion,  and  an  anti-fouling  paint  for  ships' 
bottoms.  Another  interesting  use  to  which  quicksilver  is  also  put, 
though  in  which  it  is  not  '  consumed. '  is  as  a  floating  bearing  for  the  re- 
volving lenses  of  lighthouses.  About  600  pounds  of  quicksilver  are 
required  (depending  on  the  size  of  the  light) — being  placed  in  a  circu- 
lar groove  or  channel.  The  lens  or  lighting  unit  is  set  on  a  pontoon 
which,  in  turn,  rests  and  revolves  on  the  mercury.  As  the  metal  is  not 
consumed,  the  loss  after  installation  is  insignificant.  By  far  the  great- 
est consumption  of  ciuieksilver  is  in  the  manufacture  of  fulminate  and 
of  drugs.  The  increased  adoption  of  the  cyanide  process  in  place  of 
amalgamation  in  the  treatment  of  gold  and  silver  ores  has  materially 
decreased  that  demand  for  quicksilver  of  recent  years,  particularly  in 
the  western  United  States  and  in  Mexico.  The  newest  use  for  quick- 
silver is  the  introduction  of  a  small  amount  into  the  cylinders  of  steam 
turbines  to  improve  the  vapor  pressure  and  thus  increase  efficiency. 

Quicksilver  is  an  absolutely  essential  element  at  the  present  time 
from  a  military  standpoint,  as  there  have  been  produced  as  yet  only 
partial  commercial  substitutes  for  it  in  the  manufacture  of  fulminating 
caps  for  explosives.  However,  in  order  to  reduce  consumption  of  the 
fulminate,  some  potassium  chlorate,  picric  acid,  trinitro-toluol,  or 
tetranitro-methalamine  is  at  present  being  mixed  with  it. 

PRODUCTION  and  PRICES. 
There  are  no  available  data  on  the  quicksilver  output  of  California 
earlier  than  for  the  year  1850,  though  the  New  Almaden  mine  in  Santa 
Clara  County  was  first  worked  in  1824,  and  has  been  in  practically  con- 
tinuous operation  since  1846  (the  yield,  however,  being  small  the  first 
two  years).  Total  amount  and  value  of  the  quicksilver  production  of 
California,  as  given  in  available  records,  is  shown  in  the  following  tab- 
ulation, originally  compiled  by  the  writer^  in  the  1915  statistical  bulle- 
tin of  the  State  Mining  Bureau.  In  compiling  this  table  the  following 
sources  of  information  were  used:  For  1850-1883,  table  by  J.  B.  Randol, 


'Bradlev.    W.    W..    California   mineral    production    for    1915  :    Cal.    State    Min.    Bui 
Bull.   71,  p.   35,  1916. 


10 


CALIFORNIA    STATK    MIXIXG   BUREAU. 


in  Report  of  Sl.-itc  Miiicnilo.Misl.  TV.  p.  :VM\;  18S;M8!);i  U.  S.  Geolooical 
Survey  repoiMs;  ISD-t  to  date,  .statistical  bulletins  of  the  State  ]\linin<: 
Bureau;  also  State  ^Miuinu-  Bu.reau.  I>ulletiu  27,  "Quicksilver  lie- 
sourees  of  California,"  1!)();^,  reprinted  li)OS.  p.  10.  }*revious  to  -lune, 
lf)()4.  a  'flask'  of  quicksilver  contained  7().l  pounds  (the  c(|iiivalent  of 
7")  hhids.  oi-  Spanisli  'piiunds').  hut  since  that  date  75  pounds,  net. 


Photo    No.    1.      A   shipment   of   300   flasks   of   quicksilver   from   the    New    Idria 
Mine,    San    Benito    County. 


1850 
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13  Sf^re  Mining  Bureau 

-t-l-M    1    i    1 

1910                          1915 
Accompanying  Bulletin  /V5  78 

I'KODL-CTIUN    ANIJ    PUKE   OF    QUICKSILVER    IX    CALIFORNIA,    1  S.'i  II- ]  H  1  7 


p. 10    38540 


QUICKSIIA'KI^    RESOURCES. 


11 


TOTAL   QUICKSILVER    PRODUCTION    OF    CALIFORNIA. 

Average 

,' 

-Vverapre 

YlMV 

Flasks 

Value 

price  per                 Year 
flask 

Flasks 

Value 

price  ))er 
Hask 

la'jo  

7.723 

$768,052 

.$99  45 

1885   

32,073 

$986,245 

$30  75 

1851   

27,779 

1,8.59,248 

66  93 

1886  

29,981 

1,064,326 

35  .50 

1S52   

20.000 

1,166,600 

.58  33 

1887   

33,760 

1,430,749 

42  38 

1S58   

22,284 

1,235,648 

55  45 

1888  

33,2.50 

1,413,125 

42  50 

1S54    

30,004 

1,663,722 

55  45 

1889   

26,464 

1,190,880 

45  00 

lS5o    

33,000 

1,767,1.50 

53  55 

1890   

22,926 

1,203,615 

52  50 

1856   

30,000 

1,.549,.500 

51  65 

1891    

22,904 

1,036,406 

45  25 

1857   

28,204 

1,374,.381 

48  73 

1892   

27,993 

1,139,595 

40  71 

18.58   

31,000 

1,482,730 

47  83 

1893   

30,164 

1,108,527 

36  75 

18.59  

13,000 

820,690 

63  13 

1894   

30',416 

934,000 

30  70 

1860   

10,000 

.535,500 

53  55 

1895  

36,104 

1,337,131 

37  04 

1861   

35,000 

1,471.7.50 

42  05 

1896   

30,7^5 

1,075,449 

34  96 

1862  

42,000 

1,526,700 

36  35 

1897   

26,691 

993,445 

37  28 

1863  

40,531 

1,70.5,.544 

42  08 

1898   

31,092 

1.188,626 

38  23 

1864   

47,489 

2,179,745 

45  90 

1899   

29,454 

1,405,045 

47  70 

1865   

53,000 

2,4.32,700 

45  90 

1900  

26,317 

1,182,786 

44  94 

1866  

46,.550 

2.473,202 

5.3  13 

1901    

26,720 

1,285,014 

48  46 

1867   

47,000 

2,1.57,300 

45  90 

1902   

29,552 

1,276,.524 

43  20 

r^ 

47,728 

2.190,715 

45  90 

1903   

32,094 

1,33.5,9.54 

42  25 

1869  

33,811 

1,-551,925 

45  90' 

1904   

*28,876 

1,086,323 

37  62 

1870  

30,077 

1,725,818 

.57  38 

1905   

24,655 

886,081 

35  94 

1871   

31,686 

1,999,387 

63  10 

1906   

19,516 

712,-334 

36  50 

1872   

31,621 

2,084,773 

65  93 

1907   

17,379 

663,178 

38  16 

1873   

27.642 

2,220,482 

80  33 

1908  

18.039 

763,520 

42  33 

1874  : 

27,756 

2,919,.376 

105  18 

1909   

16,217 

773,788 

47  71 

1875   

50,2.50 

4,228,538 

84  15 

1910   

17,665 

799,002 

45  23 

1876   

75,074 

3.303,256 

44  00 

1911    

19,109 

879,205 

46  01 

1877   

79,396 

2,961,471 

37  30 

1912   

20',60O 

866,024 

42  04 

1878  __.- 

63,880 

2,101,6.52 

32  90 

1913   

1.5,661 

630,042 

40  23 

1879  

73,684 

2.194,674 

29  85 

1914   

11,373 

557.846 

49  05 

1880  

59,926 

1,857,706 

31  00 

1915   

14,199 

1,157,449 

81  .52 

1881   

60,851 

1,815,185 

29  83 

1916  

21,427 

2,003,425 

93  50 

1882  

52,732 

1,488,624 

28  23 

1917   

24,382 

2,396,466 

98  29 

1883  

46,725 

1,343,344 

28  75 

18&1   

31,913 

973,347 

30  50 

Totals    - 

2,137,728 

$101,992,560 

*Flasks!  of  7.')  pounds  giac?  -June,  19(U;  of  7(iJ  pounds  previously. 

The  accompanying-  chart  (Plate  No.  I),  shows  graphically  th(- 
Huctiiations  in  the  annual  output  by  tlasks  and  the  average  annual 
prices.  Previous  to  the  high  prices  induced  by  the  present  war  situ- 
ation, the  high-water  mark  in  the  price  of  quicksilver  in  California  was 
reached  in  187-1  (the  highest  quotation  being  $118.55  per  fiask),  with 
$105.18  the  average  San  Francisco  figure  for  that  year.  This  was  pre- 
ceded by  an  average  of  $80.33  in  1873,  and  followed  by  $84.15  in  1875. 
The  following  year  it  dropped  to  $41.00.  The  low  record  sah'.s  price 
was  $25.25  in  1879,  but  1882  was  the  lowest  year,  with  an  average  of 
$28.23.  A  study  of  the  production  chart  (Plate  I)  reveals  several 
interesting  features.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  two  highly  productive 
periods,  1861-1869  and  1875-1883.  were  accompanied  by  low  prices, 
though  each  was  immediately  pi'cccded  by  a  sudden  increase  of  price. 
The  increased  production  at  tlu'  i)fcs('i]1  time  is  responding,  in  a  meas- 
vire,  to  the  stimnlus  of  the  higher  prices  of  the  past  three  years;  but, 
even  at  that,  the  production  ha.s  not  yet  attained  tlie  level  of  the  [)erio(l 


QUICKSIIAKl^    KM'.SorKCKS. 


11 


TOTAL    QUICKSILVER    PRODUCTION    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Ye;u- 


law 

1851 
1852 
1858 
1854 
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1859 
1860 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 
1883 
18&1 


FhlsUs 


Value 


Aveiafte 

Iirice  1)01" 

II  ask 


Y.ar 


7.723 
27.779 
20.000 
22,284 
30,004 
33.(X10 
30,000 
28,204 
31,000 
13,000 
10,000 
35,000 
42,000 
40.531 
47,489 
53,000 
46,550 
47,000 
47,728 
33,811 
30,077 
31,686 
31,621 
27,642 
27,/ 56 
50,2.50 
75,074 
79,396 
63,880 
73,684 
59,926 
60,851 
52,732 
46,725 
31,913 


$768,052 
1,859,248 
1,166,600 
1,235,648 
1,663,722 
1,767,150 
1.549,.5O0 
1,374,381 
1,482,730 
820,690 
535,500 
1,471,750 
1.526.700 
1.705,544 
2.179,745 
2,432,700' 
2.473,202 
2,1.57,300 
2.190.715 
1,.551,925 
1,725,818 
1,999,387 
2,084.773 
2,220,482 
2.919.376 
4.228,538 
3,303,256 
2,961,471 
2,101,652 
2.194,674 
1.857,706 
1,81.5.185 
1,488,624 
1,343,344 
973,347 


$99  45 
66  93 
58  33 
55  45 
55  45 
53  55 
51  65 
48  73 
47  83 
63  13 
53  55 
42  05 
.36  35 
42  08 
45  90 
45  90 
53  13 
45  90 
45  90 
45  90 
57  38 
63  10 
65  93 
80  33 

105  18 
84  15 
44  00 
37  30 
32  90 
29  85 
31  OO 

29  83 
28  23 
28  75 

30  50 


1885  

1886  

1887  

1888  

1889  

1890  

1S91  

1892  

1893  

1894  

1895  

1896  

1897  

1898  

1899  

1900^  

1901  

1902  

1903  

1904  

1905  

1906  

1907  

1908  

1909  

1910  

1911  

1912  

1913  

1914  

1915  

1916  

1917  

Totals 


.Xveiasp 

Flasks 

\'alne 

lince  pel- 
flask 

32,073 

$986,245 

.$30  75 

29,981 

1,064,326 

35  .50 

33,760 

1.430,749 

42  38 

33,250 

1,413,125 

42  50 

26,464 

1,190,880 

45  00 

22,926 

1,203,615 

52  50 

22,904 

1,0.36.406 

45  25 

27,993 

1,139,.595 

40  71 

30,164 

1,108,527 

36  75 

30,416 

934,000 

30' 70 

36,104 

1,337,131 

37  04 

30,765 

1,075,449 

34  96 

26,691 

993,445 

37  28 

31,092 

1,188,626 

38  23 

29,454 

l,4ft5,045 

47  70 

26,317 

1,182,786 

44  94 

26,720 

1,285,014 

48  46 

29,552 

1,276,-524 

43  20 

32,094 

1,33.5,9.54 

42  25 

*28,'876 

1,086,323 

37  62 

24.6.55 

886,081 

35  94 

19,516 

712,.334 

36  50 

17.379 

663,178 

38  16 

18.039 

763,.520 

42  33 

16,217 

773,788 

47  71 

17,666 

799,002 

45  23 

19,109 

879,205 

46  01 

20',6OO 

866,024 

42  04 

15,661 

630,042 

40  23 

11,373 

557,846 

49  05 

14,199 

1,1.57,449 

81  .52 

21,427 

2,003,425 

93  50 

24.382 

2,396,466 

98  29 

2,137,728 

$101,992,560 

*riasks;  of  7o  iiounds  sines  .June,  liiiil:  of  TfiJ  pounds  prsviously. 

The    accompanyino-    chart     (Plate    No.    I),    shows    oraphically    the 
tiuctiiations  in  the   annual   output   by   flasks  and  the   averaj^e   annual 
prices.     Previous  to  the  high  prices  induced  by  the  present  wai'  situ- 
ation, the  high-water  mark  in  the  price  of  quicksilver  in  California  was 
reached  in  IST-t   (the  highest  quotation  being  $118.55  per  flask),  witli 
$105.18  the  average  San  Francisco  figure  for  that  year.     This  was  pre- 
ceded by  an  average  of  $80.33  in  1873,  and  followed  l\v  $84.15  in  1875. 
The  following  year  it  dropped  to  $44.00.     The  low  record  sales  price 
i    was  $25.25  in  1879,  but  1882  was  the  lowest  year,  with  an  average  of 
!    $28.23.     A   study   of  the   production   chart    (Plate  I)    reveals  several 
'   interesting  features.     It  will  l)e  noted  that  the  two  highly  productive 
periods,    1861-1869   and   1875-1883,   were   accompanied   by    low    prices, 
though  each  was  immediately  preceded  by  a  sudden  iiiriTase  of  price. 
j    The  increased  ))r()iln('ti()n  at  the  pi'csnil  lime  is  responding,  in  a  meas- 
ure, to  the  stimulus  of  the  higher  pi-iccs  of  the  past  three  years;  but. 
even  at  that,  the  product i(»ii  has  not  yet  attained  the  level  of  the  period 


\'2  CALIP'OKNIA    STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

1892-11)04,  a  period  of  fair  activity  in  (luantity  of  outi)ut  l)ul  of  rela- 
tively low  average  prices.  Some  of  the  reasons  for  this  failure  to  fully 
respond  to  this  stimulus  are  discussed  in  succeeding  })ai"ao-raphs. 

The  changed  economic  status  of  quicksilver  since  the  European  war 
began  led  the  writer  to  plot  the  second  chart,  herewith,  (Plate  II)  of 
the  average  monthly  San  Francisco  quotations  since  January,  1914,  as 
pul)lislied  by  the  Alining  and  Scientific  Press.  The  weekly  averages 
are  also  shown,  for  the  period  of  the  record  peak  in  December,  1915- 
April,  1916.  and  the  highest  day's  quotation  during  the  third  week  in 
February,  1916.  During  that  period  there  were  some  actual,  ho)ia  fidr 
sales  made  in  San  Francisco  at  close  to  the  $300  mark  per  flask;  and  at 
the  same  time  a  figure  of  $340  per  flask  was  quoted  on  the  New  Yor-k- 
market.  The  fall  was  as  rapid  as  the  rise,  so  that  in  spite  of  sueli 
previously  unheard-of  extremes,  the  average  price  for  1916  did  not 
come  up  to  the  record  of  $105.18  for  the  year  1874.  The  chart  (Plate 
II)  shows  most  strikingly  the  sharp  fluctuations  in  price. 

As  San  Francisco  is  the  primary  domestic  market  for  quicksilver,  the 
average  yearly  quotations  on  this  market  were,  previous  to  1914,  used 
by  the  State  ^Mining  Bureau  (and  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  also)  in 
calculating  the  value  of  the  state's  output  of  this  metal.  However, 
because  in  1915-1917  there  was  considerable  speculation  in  quicksilver 
by  parties  other  than  the  actual  producers  (particularly  in  1916 j,  and 
tlie  price  changes  often  rapid,  so  that  quotations  did  not  always  mean 
sales,  we  have  for  these  years  taken  for  the  average  'value'  the  average 
actual  sales  as  reported  to  the  State  Mining  Bureau  by  the  producers. 
This  gave  us  an  average  value  of  $81.52  per  flask  for  the  year,  1915, 
instead  of  the  $85.80  average  of  quotations ;  $93.50  for  1916,  instead  of 
$125.89:  and  .$98.29  for  ]9]7.  instead  of  $106.33. 

PRESENT  ECONOMIC  SITUATION. 

Recent  consular  reports^  indicate  that  the  output  of  the  famous  mines 
of  Almaden,  Spain,  has  decreased  somewhat,  and  the  expense  of  oper- 
ation increased.  These  mines  are  owned  by  the  government  and  oper- 
ated under  cinitract  l)y  lessees  using  convict  labor.  At  the  time  of  the 
above-mentioned  report  bids  were  being  called  for  by  the  Minister  of 
the  Ti'easnry  I'oi-  new  leases  for  Avorking  the  deposits,  and  additional 
cai)ital  e\|)enditnre  and  exploration  work  were  to  be  required.  The 
cost  of  jn-oduction  of  quicksilver  at  Almaden  is  stated  to  liav(>  incn^ased 
fi-om  $8.29  i)er  flask  in  1900  to  $15.22  in  1915. 

Fov  two  oi'  thi-ee  yeai's  previous  to  th(^  outbreak  of  tiie  Kuro[)t'an  wai', 
our  normal  peace-times  consumiitioii  of  (piicksilver  in  the  United  States 
was  appro.xiiiuitely  25,000  flasks  annually;  and   oui"  domestic  produc- 


T.   S.   CnminiTrn  'Ropoi-ts,   No.    2!1S,   Dec.    L'O,    IDIfi,   p.    1079:    Annual    Soriis  No.    loB, 
.June  2:i,   I'.M  7.  p.  :::'.. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  13 


i->n  i\i\i^    xj  ,,^i,„ 


» 


...  ,.^o,.    /IK'iJ..^    f!.,iwl,-«    ill    1914,   of 

isk  })eace- 
'ac'tiire  of 
ying.  and 
ion.  Our 
price  and 
'  importa- 
3  in  1912 ; 
munitions 
ments  cor- 
urces  have 

)rotect  our 
ated  mines 
$8-$15  per 
lent-owned 
iues  where 
iport  duty 
;ates,  as  ad 

number  of 
are    being- 
being  tried, 
in  spite  of 
1917.   was 
the  entire 
level  of  the 
3s  for  those 
5on  for  this 
ater  capital 
1  tonnages, 
3  such  large 
rtain.     The 
i  preceding 
1912: 

diver  industry 
producers  are 
ind  there  were 
vill  is  required 
well-developed 
.•est  costs,  the 
during  periods 
I       *      *      *      j^ 

larticularlv     in 
fit.       But  "little 


'McCaskev.  H.  D..  Mineral  resources  of  the  United  States  for  l!i]2  :  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey,  Part  I,  p.  931,  191.3. 


1914                                                                        1915                     MyA«'y3,/,^^'.^/■J^J      1,15                                                                        ,3,^ 
-  /jj  JO-  <»-«.,  jt^.t-j  **-Sm    ar   «(v  Ac  ,•.  /■«  tif  if'  lib,  jun  M>  *^  iff  Oit  n^   Or,  J,-  r,t  ,1,,  Af  «»-*«-<->  ■'^    --•  °-'    *•■    *t     ;*-  /^i  «<-  'i'  •",  Ji-v  j^  A^  irg   *■   in,  Sk  Jm-  m -i 

*sao 

/JIO 

/»• 

fl4<l 

- 

fix 

■ 

'i  1 

'140 

//SO 

- 

■ 

s 

/IN 

s 

flDO 

tto 

tiO 

V 

/ 

/ 

s 

I     l\ 

/ 

- 

*43 

lis 

-7 

\' 

/ 

- 

■>■ 

\ 

7 

\ 

y 

s 

- 

'31*         '             '        -■      '            "        '"'|9t5                                  J"    '      *'           «•        ^^^^          A      .     '-^'^^   ,',,'_„       '^    "        1917  '*   ,**  _          .    ,^„,,.j 

Monthly    Average    Quicksilver 
January,    191'1- 


Quotations    at    San    Francisco,    California, 
-Kebruary,    191S,    Inclusive. 


QUICKSIIA'ER    l.*KS(^T'RCES.  13 

1i..u  had  fallen  below  20,000  Masks  per  year  (16,548  flasks  in  1914,  of 
wliieh  California  produced  11,373  flasks).     Of  this  25,000  flask  peace- 
time consumption,  nearly  50  per  cent  went  into  the  manufacture  of 
fulminate  for  explosive,   detonating  caps  for  mining,  quarrying,  and 
sporting    arms    ammunition    as    well    as    military    ammunition.     Our 
domestic  output  being  inadequate,  partly  because  of  the  low  price  and 
the  lower  average  tenor  of  the  ores  mined,  necessitated  the  importa- 
tion of  several  thousand  flasks  annually  (6,300  in  1911;  1,100  in  1912; 
2.280  in  1913;  8,200  in  1914).     The  enormous  increase  in  munitions 
manufacture  due  to  the  war  has  obviously  raised  our  requirements  cor- 
respondingly.    At  the  same  time,  imports  from  European  sources  have 
been,  of  course,  curtailed,  if  not  entirely  cut  off  ere  this. 
I     The  import  duty  of  10%  ad  valorem  is  not  sufficient  to  protect  our 
American  miners  against  the  competition  of  the  convict-operated  mines 
of  Spain  where  quicksilver  can  be  produced  for  as  low  as  $8-$15  per 
flask,  as  noted  above.     Nor  can  we  compete  with  the  government-owned 
and  operated  mines  of  Idria,  Austria,  nor  with  the  Italian  mines  where 
labor  is  also  cheap.     To   give  us  proper  protection  the   import   duty 
should  be  at  least  25%  of  the  selling  price  in  the  United  States,  as  ad 
valorum  duties  are  based  on  cost  values  at  the  point  of  origin. 

The  present  improvement  in  the  price  has  increased  the  number  of 
operating  properties  in  California.  Lower  grade  ores  are  being 
worked ;  and  new  methods  of  ore  dressing  and  reduction  are  being  tried, 
as  discussed  in  the  chapters  herein  on  Metallurgy.  But,  in  spite  of 
the  inducement  of  high  prices,  the  output  for  the  year  1917,  was 
barely  double  that  for  1914,  both  for  California  and  for  the  entire 
United  States;  and,  even  at  that,  has  not  yet  regained  the  level  of  the 
annual  production  for  the  years  1892-1904,  though  the  prices  for  those 
years  were  relatively  low.  The  most  important,  single  reason  for  this 
is  the  lower  grade  of  the  ores,  which  in  turn,  requires  a  greater  capital 
outlay  for  large-capacity  equipment  to  handle  commercial  tonnages, 
and  closer  economy  of  operations.  Capital  hesitates  to  make  such  large 
investments  where  the  maintenance  of  good  prices  is  so  uncertain.  The 
conditions  prevailing  in  the  domestic  quicksilver  industry  preceding 
the  European  war  were  well  summarized  by  McCaskey^  in  1912: 

"Owing  to  the  generally  low  prices  prevailing,  the  domestic  quicksilver  industry- 
was  not  particularly  prosperous  in  1912.  The  great  majority  of  the  producers  are 
operating  old  mines  in  which  high  grade  ore  is  now  rarely  encountered,  and  there  were 
no  new  rich  ore  shoots  reported  for  the  year.  In  most  cases  special  skill  is  required 
to  prevent  the  plants  running  at  a  loss.  *  *  *  Altliough  each  well-developed 
property  is  equipped  with  its  own  plant  and  presumahh-  run  at  lowest  costs,  the 
margin  of  profit  in  many  cases  is  so  small  upon  low-grade  ores  that  during  periods 
of  low  prices  the  mining  activity  is  likely  to  he  considerably  curtailed.  *  *  *  It 
is  true  that  further  improvements  in  metallurgical  treatment,  particularly  in 
preventing    furnace    losses,    sliould    result    in    a    better    margin     of    profit.       But    little 


'McCaskev,  H.  D.,  Mineral  resources  of  the  United  States  for  i:)12:  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey.  Part  I,  p.  931,  1913. 


]•_>  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU 


}  f        1* 


1S!,'2-1!)04.  - 
lively  low 
respond  tc 

The  eha 
began  led 
the  averao 
published 
are  also  si 
April  191 
February, 
sales  made 
the  same  t 
market.     T 
previously 
come  up  tc 
II)  shows 

As  San  ] 
average  ye 
by  the  Stat 
calculating 
because  in 
by  parties  . 
the  price  c^ 
sales,  we  \u 
actual  sales 
This  gave  i 
instead  of  t 
$125.89 ;  an 


Recent  eo 
of  Almader 
ation  iucrea 
ated  untlci- 
al)<)V('-iiicul  i 
tlie  Treasur 
eapi1;il    cxpc 

cost    of    ])1-()(1 

from  -tS.-J!) 

For  1  wo  () 
our  noniial  ,..  ...,^v,  ui...i .-.  v.mi.-,iciii|m  mn  oi   (|MicKsii\'er  in  Tlie  I  uited  Slates 
was   api)i-o.\iniately  25,000  Hasks  aunually  ;  and  our  dumi'slie   i)i'oduc- 


'T'.   S.   rommorce  Rojiorls.  No.   20S.  Ttor.   20.   lOin,  )>.    1070:   Annual   Series  Nn.    15B, 
.liilH'   L'L'.   I!il7,  p.   3:{. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  13 

linn  had  fallen  below  20,000  liasks  per  year  (16,548  flasks  in  1014,  oi" 
which  CaliL'oriiia  produced  11,373  flasks).  Of  this  25,000  flask  peace- 
lime  eonsuinption,  nearly  50  {ht  cent  went  into  tlie  manufacture  of 
J'lilininate  for  explosive,  detonating  caps  for  mining,  quarrying,  and 
sporting  arms  ammunition  as  well  as  military  ammunition.  Our 
domestic  output  being  inadequate,  partly  because  of  the  low  price  and 
the  lower  average  tenor  of  the  ores  mined,  necessitated  the  importa- 
tion of  several  thousand  flasks  annually  (6,300  in  1911;  1,100  in  1912; 
2.280  in  1913;  8,200  in  1914).  The  enormous  increase  in  munitions 
manufacture  due  to  the  war  has  obviously  raised  our  requirements  cor- 
respondingly. At  the  same  time,  imports  from  European  sources  have 
been,  of  course,  curtailed,  if  not  entirely  cut  off  ere  this. 

The  import  duty  of  10%  ad  valorem  is  not  sufficient  to  protect  our 
American  miners  against  the  competition  of  the  convict-operated  mines 
of  Spain  where  quicksilver  can  be  produced  for  as  low  as  $8-$15  per 
fla.sk,  as  noted  above.  Nor  can  we  compete  with  the  government-owned 
and  operated  mines  of  Idria,  Austria,  nor  with  the  Italian  mines  where 
labor  is  also  cheap.  To  give  us  proper  protection  the  import  duty 
should  be  at  least  25%  of  the  selling  price  in  the  United  States,  as  ad 
valorum  duties  are  based  on  cost  values  at  the  point  of  origin. 

The  present  improvement  in  the  price  has  increased  the  number  of 
operating  properties  in  California.  Lower  grade  ores  are  being 
worked ;  and  new  methods  of  ore  dressing  and  reduction  are  being  tried, 
as  discussed  in  the  chapters  herein  on  Metallurgy.  But,  in  spite  of 
the  inducement  of  high  prices,  the  output  for  the  year  1917,  was 
barely  double  that  for  1914,  both  for  California  and  for  the  entire 
United  States;  and,  even  at  that,  has  not  yet  regained  the  level  of  the 
annual  production  for  the  years  1892-1904,  though  the  prices  for  those 
years  were  relatively  low.  The  most  important,  single  reason  for  this 
is  the  lower  grade  of  the  ores,  which  in  turn,  requires  a  greater  capital 
outlay  for  large-capacity  equipment  to  handle  commercial  tonnages, 
and  closer  economy  of  operations.  Capital  hesitates  to  make  such  large 
investments  where  the  maintenance  of  good  prices  is  so  uncertain.  The 
conditions  prevailing  in  the  domestic  quicksilver  industry  preceding 
the  European  war  were  well  summarized  by  McCaskey^  in  1912 : 

"Owing-  to  the  generally  low  prices  prevailing,  the  domestic  quicksilver  industry 
was  not  particularly  prosperous  in  1912.  The  great  majority  of  the  producers  are 
operating  old  mines  in  which  high  grade  ore  is  now  rarely  encountered,  and  there  were 
no  new  rich  ore  shoots  reported  for  the  year.  In  most  cases  special  skill  is  required 
to  prevent  the  plants  running  at  a  loss.  *  *  *  Although  each  well-developed 
property  is  equipped  with  its  own  plant  and  presumal)ly  run  at  lowest  costs,  the 
margin  of  profit  in  many  cases  is  so  small  upon  low-grade  ores  that  during  periods 
of  low  prices  the  mining  activity  is  likely  to  be  considerably  curtailed.  *  *  *  jt 
is  true  that  further  improvements  in  metallurgical  treatment,  particularly  in 
preventing    furnace    losses,    should    result    In    a    better    margin     of    profit.       But    little 


'McCaskev,  H.  D.,  Mineral  resources  of  the  United  States  for  l'.l]2:  U.  S.  Geological 
Survey,  Part  I,  p.  931,  1913. 


14  t'AMI'OHMA    Sl'A'I'i;    MIN'IXC    lU'K'KAU. 

iiiil>iii\f lUfiit  (Mil  he  made  with  low  iiiaiket  prices  and  uncertainty  of  ore  supiilies. 
The  domestic  market  for  (|iiicksilvei-  ai)i)ears  to  demand  fiom  liO.OOO  to  25,000  llasks 
for  consumption  per  annmn.  The  foreign  market  is  not  profitahle  to  American  pro- 
iluceis  in  competition  with  large  Kiiropean  supplies  availahle  at  lower  prices.  At  low 
Iiriccs  and  nc^-mal  output  tlieie  is  little  importation,  but  at  liigh  prices  importation  of 
foreign  sui)plies  reacts  to  curtail  output  l)y  cutting  prices  to  a  low  margin  of  profit. 
It  would  seem,  therefore,  that  unless  rich  ore.  workaljle  imder  favorable  conditions 
at  a  large  profit,  be  available,  or  industrial  cliemistry  find  new  uses  for  the  metal 
and  an  increase  in  domestic  demand  i-esults  thereb.v.  tlic  present  producers  must 
continue  to  operate  inider  sotnewhat  \uifa vorable  conditions,  and  new  produceis  anil 
small  mines  must  compete  witli  established  niine.---  and  plants  now  operated  presum- 
ably at  minimum  costs  and  witli  special  skill  and  knowledge  of  the  art." 

Accui-jitc  and  reliable  ccLst  data  as  Id  miniiiu-  and  rediielioii  of  (iiiick- 
.silvcr  ill  ('alifonna  are  ])i'a('l ieally  iinobtaiuabk'  cxcci)!  in  Ihe  case  of 
two  or  three  of  the  hiriier  operators.  The  others  simply  do  not  know 
what  their  per  flask  costs  are,  for  lack  of  keepino'  properly  segregated 
aecoiints.     TTowever,  some  approximations  can  l)e  stated. 

In  1!)14,  the  'operating  costs'  of  the  larger  companies  amounted  to 
about  >\^'.l'y  per  tiask  of  quicksilver  ])roduced.  This  did  not  include 
interest,  depreciation,  amortization,  etc.  For  the  smaller  operators  the 
costs  were  relatively  higher,  and  the  market  price  having  dropped  to 
below  $40  per  flask  ($37.50  average  for  July.  1914),  but  few  properties 
were  working.  Present  costs  (January.  1918)  are  nearly  doubled, 
evi'n  for  the  larger  operators,  and  probably  more  than  doubled  for  the 
smaller  fellows. 

Not  only  have  the  costs  of  supplies  and  labor  increased  all  along  the 
line,  but  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  get  or  to  keep  skilled  and  reliable 
labor  for  either  underground  or  reduction  operations,  in  the  quicksilver 
mines.  This  is  in  i)art  due  to  the  attractions  offered  by  the  extreme, 
high  wages  being  paid  at  present  in  other  lines,  especially  in  the  cop- 
l)er  mines.  This.  too.  is  coupled  with  a  decreasing  efficiency  of  the 
laborers  due  to  their  increasing  'independence'  and  the  spread  of  the 
'  r.  \V.  \V. "  spirit  among  them. 

The  continued  maintenance  of  the  present  output  is  problematical, 
not  only  by  reason  of  the  foregoing  circumstances,  but  from  the  stand- 
point of  the  uncertainties  of  the  deposits  themselves.  AVith  two  excep- 
ticns  (New  Almaden  mine,  lowest  level  2430  feet  below  outcrop;  and 
Xew  Tdi'ia  mine,  lowest  level  1060  feet  below  outcrop).  th(»  deposits  are 
ratlier  shallow. 

Writing  in  1887,  Becker^  took  a  souuMvliat  similar  view: 

"I  can  not  say  that  tlie  I'utuie  of  the  (nucksiUer  industry  nn  the  Pacific  slope 
seems  to  me  to  be  ver.v  liop.'ful.  Tlie  troul)Ie  is  not  in  the  lack  of  cinnabar,  but  in 
tile  mechanical  disintegration  of  the  country  effected  by  the  Post-Neocomian  iipluaval. 
To  this  are  due  the  gi-eat  irregularity  of  the  deposits,  the  dissemination  of  t-innaliar  in 
minute  fissines,  or  as  'paints.'  in  tlie  language  of  miners,  and  the  small  average  size  of 
the  deep-si'ated  veins.  Hejiosits  may  soniewliere  l)e  found  in  firmer  or  less  iissured 
rock,  but  tliere  only  can  strong,  simple  fissure  \eins  be  expected  to  prev;nl  in  depth. 
Sucli  deposits  are  exceptional  e\-erywliere.  In  the  Almaden  district  [Spain]  ore  is 
known  to  occur  at  over  .seventy  points,  but  at  onl.v  one  of  them  was  the  acciunula- 
tion    great    enough    to   svipply    tlie    wnrld    with    mei-cur.v    for    thousands    of    years.      The 


'Becker.    (1.     I'".,    (Jeoldgv-    cii    the    (|uicksil\er    deposits    of    the    Pacific    Slope:    U.    S. 
Geol.   Siirv..    Mon.   Xlll.   pp.    117-418.   1S8S. 


QnCKSlI.VKK    KKSOrUCKS.  15 

Santa  Barbara,  at  Huancavelica  [Peru],  ton,  was  one  of  over  fort.v  known  deposits 
m  the  s;ime  district.  Systematic  and  intelligent  prospecting  is  even  more  needful 
in  mines  on  the  Coast  Ran.ges  of  California  than  elsewhere,  and  the  special  attention 
i>r  superintendents  should  be  directed  to  a  study  of  the  tissure  system.  This  will 
almost  invaii.il)l>-  be  complex,  and  can  be  satisfactorily  made  out  onl.v  by  daily  study 
as  the  woi-k  progresses.  When  a  large  p;irt  of  the  mine  is  abandoned  or  closed,  it 
is  often  impossible  to  find  the  key  to  the  true  distiiViution  of  the  fissures  and  of  the 
i>re  chaml)ers  which  accompany  them.  Helpless  groping,  discouragement,  and  often 
abandonment  of  property  which  nrobal)l>-  t-ontains  treasures  often  follow.  An 
increase  of  geological  skill  in  the  management  of  quicksilver  mines  would  do  much 
to  offset  the  imfortunately  capricious  d!stril)ution  of  ore.  Good  civil  and  mechanical 
engineering  is  necessary,  but  not  sufficient,  to  make  the  best  of  a  quicksih'er  mine, 
nor  can  occasional  assistance  suppl.v  the  place  of  enlightened  daily  study  of 
geological  structure.  There  is  nothing  novel  in  this  warning,  nor  is  there  an.v  prob- 
ability that  so  trite  a  piece  of  common  sense  will  be  heeded." 

This  may  .seem  a  .somewiiat  pes.simi.stie  view  to  take  ef  the  situatiuii. 
Imt  the  record  of  auiiual  production  since  that  time  shows  that  Becker 
was  not  very  far  wrong.  The  districts  here,  in  which  from  a  geological 
standpoint  other  and  new  deposits  might  be  looked  for.  are  almost  en- 
tiiely  lield  now  under  agricultural  patents,  so  that  there  is  no  induce- 
ment for  the  prospector  to  search  for  undiscovered  ore  bodies.  The 
average  tenor  of  the  ores  now  being  worked  is  extremely  low.  the 
larger  operators  handling  materials  which  carry  but  0.3',; -0.7%  mer- 
cury. 

lender  the  circumstances,  to  allow  at  least  a  25%  margin  of  profit 
over  total  costs  is  decidedly  conservative  at  the  present  time.  With  a 
production  cost  approximating  $80  per  flask  for  the  'average  operator,' 
this  would  mean  a  minimum  sales  price  of  $100  per  flask.  We  con- 
sldcv  that  at  the  present  time  a  price  of  $100-$150  per  flask  i.s  not 
unreasonable.  Without  a  maintenance  of  these  prices,  the  mainte- 
nance of  the  output  is  very  uncertain.* 

One  particular  item  of  operation  expense  that  has  raised,  in  addition 
to  the  labor  situation  noted  above,  is  that  of  fuel.  Forstner^  showed 
figures  in  1903  of  from  $3.50  per  cord  for  pine  to  $5  per  cord  for  oak, 
in  the  more  favorably  situated  districts.  Present  costs  are  as  much  as 
50%  in  excess  of  the  above,  depending  on  the  locality. 

"Quicksilver  furnaces  are  great  consumers  of  wood,  and  even  those  mines  which  are 
located  in  well-timbered  regions  find  the  cost  of  their  fuel  steadily  increa.sing.  Only 
in  exceptional  cases  can  mines  get  their  cordwood  delivered  for  $3.50  per  cord; 
generally  the  price  is  higher,  in  some  cases  double  that  figure.  Hence  most  of  the 
quicksilver  mine  managers  are  eagerly  looking  for  a  substitute  for  cordwood  as  fuel 
in   their  furnaces.      Up  to  the  present   time,   however,   this  has  not  been   found." 


*Since  the  above  was  written,  the  Federal  Government  is  taking  40%  of  the 
domestic  quicksilver  production  at  a  specified  price  of  $10.5  per  flask.  Producers  are 
permitted  to  obtain  whatever  price  they  may  from  other  consumers.  Since  which 
time,  the  quotations  in  the  open  market  have  ranged  between  $110  and  $115  per 
flask. 

'Forstner,  Wm.,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  '1 , . 
pp.   10,  et  al..   1903. 


16  CALIFORNIA   STATE   JMIMXG   BL'REAU. 

Since  Forstner  wrote  the  aliove  a  commercial  substitute  for  cord- 
wood  has  been  found  in  crude  petroleum.  Fuel  oil  lias  now  been  in  use 
for  a  number  of  years  at  the  New  Idria  mine,  San  Benito  County,  and 
more  recently  adopted  at  New  Almaden,  Santa  Clara  County;  at  the 
Cloverdale  aiul  Ci-eat  Eastern  mines,  Sonoma  County;  and  for  firing  a 
12-pipe  retort  at  the  Cuddeback  mine,  Kern  County.  Fuel-oil  prices 
are  at  the  present  writing  practically  double  what  they  were  three 
years  ago.  Further  details  as  to  fuel  and  other  costs  are  given  else- 
where herein  in  the  accounts  of  individual  properties. 


QUICKSILVKK    RESOURCES.  17 

ChAI'TER    2. 

GENERAL  GEOLOGY  OF  THE  DEPOSITS 

AXD  Theories  of  Ore  Deposition. 

Geographical   distribution. 

Tiit^  tliiit-ksilvei-  distriet.s  of  California,  which  have  thus  far  proven 
of  C'onnnercial  interest  are  mainly  in  the  Coast  Ranges,  from  Lake 
County  on  the  north  to  Santa  Barbara  County  on  the  south.  Other, 
scattered  occurrences,  some  of  which  have  yielded  commercial  quan- 
tities of  the  metal,  will  be  noted  on  the  outline  map  (Plate  III),  as 
hcing  in  Del  Xorte,  Siskiyou,  Trinity,  Shasta,  El  Dorado,  Kern,  and 
San  Bernardino  counties.  It  will  also  be  noted  that  the  Sonoma-Lake- 
Colusa-Xapa  occurrences  form  a  more  concentrated  grouping  than  those 
to  the  south  of  San  Francisco  Bay.  The  southern  string,  though  more 
scattered,  includes  the  largest  two  single  c[uicksilver  producers  of  North 
America.  New  Almaden  and  New  Idria. 

GEOLOGIC  FORMATIONS  of  the  MIDDLE  COAST  RANGES. 

The  geologic  formations  of  the  middle  Coast  Ranges  of  California 
have  been  summarized  by  Lawson,^  as  follows : 

"The  micldle  Coast  Ranges  of  California,  *  *  *  j^j-g  composed  of  many  dif- 
ferent Ivinds  of  roclv,  both  igneous  and  sedimentary.  The  geologic  history  of  the 
region  is  varied,   including  records   of  deposition,   erosion,   diastrophism,   and  volcanic 

eruptions,  and  the  geologic  structure  is  correspondingly  complex  and  interesting. 
*  *  *  *  *^*  *  * 

"The  oldest  known  rocks  are  certain  quartzites,  limestones,  and  crystalline  schists, 
which  are  best  exposed  in  the  Santa  Cruz,  Santa  Lucia,  and  Gabilan  ranges.  The 
age  of  these  rocks  is  not  yet  known,  but  some  of  them  are  probably  early  Mesozoic 
and  some  are  possibly  Paleozoic. 

"These  older  i-ocks  are  intruded  by  the  granitic  and  dioritic  rocks  of  the  ranges 
just  mentioned  and  their  extensions  nortliward  through  Montara  Mountain,  the 
Farallon  Islands,   and  the  Point  Reyes  Peninsula  as  far  as  Bodega  Head. 

"Upon  the  eroded  surface  of  the  complex  of  plutonic  and  metamorphic  rocks  rests 
the  Franciscan  group,  composed  chiefly  of  sandstones,  radiolarian  chert,  foraminifei'al 
limestone,  and  lavas,  associated  with  which  are  intrusive  masses  of  spheroidal  basalt 
and  serpentinized  peridotite.  These  rocks  are  widely  distributed  in  the  middle 
Coast  Ranges,  occurring  notably  in  the  Mount  Hamilton  and  Mount  Diablo  ranges, 
about  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  and  in  areas  north  of  the  bay. 

"Upon  the  Franciscan  group  the  Shasta  series  (Lower  Cretaceous)  rests  in  uncon- 
formable relation,  and  upon  this  group  lies  the  Chico  formation  (Upper  Cretaceous). 
These  Cretaceous  formations  were  once  coextensive  with  the  territory  now  occupied 
by  the  present  Coast  Ranges,  and  although  removed  by  erosion  over  large  areas 
where  the  Franciscan  and  older  rocks  now  appear  at  the  surface,  they  still  constitute 
one  of  the  largest  elements  in  the  stratigrapliy  of  the  region.  They  are  composed 
chiefly  of  shales  and  sandstones  and  in  the  ranges  north  of  the  bay  have  a  measured 
thickness  of  between  5  and  6  miles.  The  Eocene  rocks,  which  succeed  the  Chico,  are 
much  less  widely  distributed.  They  comprise  two  assemblages  of  sandstones  and 
shales  known  as  the  Martinez  and  the  Tejon  formations,  which  near  the  Bay  of 
San  Francisco  aggregate  between  4.000  and  5,000  feet  in  thickness  and  in  the  area 
farther  south  are  probably  much  thicker.  Evidences  of  uncomformity  between  the 
Eocene  and  Cretaceous  rocks  have  been  observed  in  some  places,  but  the  discordance 
is  not  very  pronounced.  The  fossil  faunas  of  the  two  series  are,  however,  very 
different. 

"Some  strata  referable  to  the  Oligocene  series  have  been  observed  and  recorded,  but 
the  next  great  group  of  rocks  is  of  Miocene  age  and  is  known  as  the  Monterey  group. 
The  formations  of  this  group  have  a  wider  distribution  south  of  the  Bay  of  San 
Francisco  than  those  of  Eocene  age,  and  in  some  places  they  rest  directly  upon 
Cretaceous  or  older  rocks,  neither  the  Martinez  nor  tlie  Tejon  intervening.  The  most 
characteristic  feature  of  the  group  is  its  content  of  bituminous  shale,  with  which 
nearly  all  the  oil  of  California  is  directly  or  indirectly  associated.  These  shales 
alternate  with  sandstones,  and  the  basal  formation  of  the  group  is  at  many  places 
conglomeratic.     The  group  attains  a  thickness  of  several  thousand  feet,  and  in  areas 


'Lawson,   A.   C,  U.   S.   Geol.   Survey  Geol.   Atlas,   San  Francisco  Folio    (No.    193), 
pp.  3-4,  1914. 
2-36.540 


18  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

where  it  rests  upon  the  Koeene  the  superposition  is  uneoniforniable.  Tlie  rotks  of 
this  group  were  doubtless  originally  deposited  over  the  greater  part  of  the  area  of  the 
Coast  Ranges  from  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco  southward,  but  since  their  deformation 
and  uplift  they  have  been  extensively  eroded.  Their  remnants,  however,  form  a 
considerable  element  of  the  stratigraphy  of  the  region. 

"The  next  overlying  formation,  the  San  Pablo,  is  unconformable  with  the  Monterey 
group  and  is  mucli  less  widely  distributed.  In  its  southern  ai-eas  the  discordance  is 
strongly  marked,  but  in  some  of  the  northern  areas  it  is  scarcely  discernible.  The 
rocks,  which  are  chiefl.v  marine  sandstones  that  are  locally  intermixed  with  tuffs, 
are  found  on  both  flanks  of  the  Coast  Ranges.  Their  thickness  in  the  best-known 
sections  ranges  from  1500  to  2000  feet. 

"Above  the  San  Pablo  unconformably,  but  in  few  places  resting  directly  upon  it, 
lies  the  Merced  formation,  a  thick  accumulation  of  marine  sandstones,  clays,  and  con- 
glomerates, which  were  laid  down  in  Pliocene  time  in  deep  local  troughs  that  sank 
as  fast  as  the  sediments  were  deposited.  These  basins  of  Pliocene  marine  deposits 
were  apparently  confined  to  the  coastal  side  of  the  Coast  Range  region.  On  the 
inland  side  of  that  region  similar  geosynclinal  troughs  were  developed  to  correspond- 
ing depths,  in  which  accumulated  fluviatile  and  lacustral  sediments,  constituting  the 
Orinda  formation.  The  Orinda  and  Merced  formations  are  each  more  than  a  mile 
thick.      Interstralified  with  the  beds  of  both  formations  are  layers  of  volcanic  ash. 

"lipon  the  Orinda  and  Merced  lie  various  lavas  and  volcanic  tuffs  alternating  with 
lacustral  clays,  limestones,  and  sandstones.  Of  these  lacustral  formations,  the  Siesta 
(Pliocene)   and  the  Campus   (Pleistocene)    are  the  most  extensive. 

"The  later  Quaternary  formations  comprise  marine  shell  beds,  sands,  and  clays 
overlain  by  a  thick  deposit  of  alluvium  that  is  rich  in  the  bones  of  extinct  Mammalia." 

AGE  OF  THE  ORE  DEPOSITS. 

The  principal  Calif ornian  (piieksilver  deposits  are  mainly  in  the 
Franciscan  (Jurassic?)  formations,  with  some  also  in  the  adjacent 
Knoxville  (Lower  Cretaceous).  In  the  earlier  geological  writings,-  the 
'quicksilver  series'  was  designated  as  being  'Neoeomian,'  'Xeocomian 
metamorphic,'  'Cretaceous  metamorphic'  and  'the  ]\Ietamorphic 
Series.'  Though  occurring  largely  in  these  Jurassic-Cretaceous  rocks, 
the  age  of  the  quicksilver  mineralization  is,  in  the  majority  of  the 
deposits,  certainly  much  later.  In  some  eases,  it  is  even  as  late  as 
Quaternary. 

The  comparative  youth  of  quicksilver  ore  deposits,  elsewhere,  as  well 
as  in  California,'' 

"is  attested  by  the  fact  that  many  of  them  are  found  in  sedimentary  or  volcanic 
rocks  of  Tertiary  or  Quaternary  age.  They  are  not  confined  to  these  rocks,  however, 
and  may,  in  fact,  occur  in  rocks  of  any  composition  or  age.  Sandstones,  shales, 
limestone,  serpentine,  granite,  andesite,  rhyolite,  or  basalt  may  harbor  the  ores,  and 
the  character  of  the  surrounding  rocks  seems  to  have  little  influence  on  the  value  of 
tiie  deposits. 

"The  California  belt  contains  ores  in  Jurassic,  Cretaceous,  and  Tertiary  sandstones 
and  shale,  in  serpentine,  and  in  late  Tertiary  or  Quaternary  basalt  and  andesite." 

At  the  Sulphur  Bank  mine  in  Lake  County,  the  cinnabar  deposits 
extend  from  the  Knoxville  sandstones  and  shales  of  the  lower  levels  up 
through  the  overlying  Quaternary  basalt,  and  is,  in  fact,  conceded  to 
be  still  depositing*  from  the  thermal  waters  so  much  discussed  in  pub- 
lished accounts  of  this  mine. 

Whitney^  writing  in  1865  says: 

"In  regard  to  the  geological  position  of  the  cinnabar  deposits  of  California,  it  may 
be  added,  that  this  ore  has  been  found  by  us  in  many  localities,  and  in  formations  of 
nearly  every  age.  It  occurs  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
State  in  strata  of  Triassic  age,  and  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra,  probably  in 
rocks  of  the  same  age.  In  the  Coast  Ranges  it  has  been  found  in  tlie  Tertiary;  but. 
as  far  as  yet  known,  there  are  no  large  and  valuable  deposits  except  in  the  Cretaceous, 
in  which  position  the  localities  which  have  been  discovered,  and  where  the  ore  is  known 
to  exist,  in  small  quantity  at  least,  are  very  numerous,  extending  in  a  line  with  the 
metamorphic  Cretaceous  from  New  Idria  to  Clear  Lake." 

=See  Whitney,  Becker,  Forstner  and  Lawson,  in  the  various  references  noted  under 
Bibliography. 

'Lindgren,  Waldemar,  Mineral  deposits,  p.  461,  191."?. 

•Becker,  G.  F.,  Geologj-  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope :  U.  S.  Geol. 
Surv.  Mon.  XIII,  pp.  263,  270,   1S8S. 

''Whitney,  J.  D.,  Geology  of  California:  Geol.   Surv.  of  Cal.,  Vol.  I,  p.  6S,  1865. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  19 

Following-  a  discussion  of  the  geology  of  the  Europeati  quicksilver 
deposits,  Beck"  states : 

"The  greatest  cinnabar  deposits  outside  of  Europe  are  those  of  California. 
*  *  *  The  deposits  are  mainly  in  the  Coast  Range,  formed  of  folded  metamorphosed 
Neocomian  (Early  Cretaceous)  slates,  with  later  intrusions  of  granite,  quartz 
porphyry,  andesite,  rhyolite,  and  basalt.  The  tilting  and  dynamo-metamorphism  of 
the  Neocomian  strata  (.Aucella  beds)  took  place  as  early  as  the  Middle  Cretaceous, 
and  was  repeated  with  accompanying  volcanic  eruptions.  These  eruptions,  with 
which  the  quicksilver  deposits  are  genetically  connected  continue  into  post-Pliocene 
time. 

"The  deposits  consist  of  very  irregular  veins,  often  as  the  chambered  veins  described 
by  Becker,  or  forming  stock-like  bodies  which  extend  laterally  from  the  lode  into  the 
shattered  or  porous  country  rock." 

Becker'  distinguishes  three  principal  periods  of  igneous  intrusions 
to  which  the  ore  deposition  is  genetically  related:  1.  pre-Pliocene,  dur- 
ing which  large  masses  of  andesite  were  ejected, — a  bluish-gray  rock 
containing  pyroxene  and  feldspar  crystals  embedded  in  a  ground-mass 
of  feldspar  and  magnetite.  2.  A  later  andesitic  eruption,  near  the 
close  of  the  Pliocene,  and  belonging  to  a  special  group  having  traehytic 
physical  characteristics,  for  which  he  proposes  the  name  'asperites. ' 
Rhyolite  ,  probably  younger  than  the  andesites,  is  found  near  New 
Almaden  and  in  the  northwestern  part  of  San  Luis  Obispo  County. 
3.  Basalt  eruptions  belonging  to  the  Quaternary  and  more  recent 
-periods. 

THE  FRANCISCAN  GROUP. 

The  age  of  the  Franciscan  formations  has  not  yet  been  positively 
determined  to  the  complete  satisfaction  of  all  geologists.  Not  only  is 
the  paleontological  evidence  extremely  meager  and  contradictory,  but 
the  stratigraphic  evidence  is  curiously  self-contradictory  and  leads  to  a 
conclusion  that  few  geologists  may  be  willing  to  accept.^  There  are 
exposures  of  the  Knoxville  series  (Lower  Cretaceous)  which  rest 
unconformably  upon  the  eroded  surface  of  the  deformed  and  locally 
metamorphosed  rocks  of  the  Franciscan.  These  would  indicate  that 
the  Franciscan  is  pre-Cretaceous.  Franciscan  rocks  are  found  in  por- 
tions of  the  southern  Coast  Ranges  resting  unconformably  upon  a  com- 
plex that  includes  a  granitic  rock  which  can  be  traced  continuously 
from  the  Coast  Ranges  around  to  a  connection  with  the  'granite'  of  the 
southern  Sierra  Nevada.  This  granite  is  mapped  and  described  as  of 
post-Jurassic  origin.  It  has  also  been  observed  that:  1.  The  sand- 
stones of  the  Franciscan  group  are  composed  very  largely  of  granitic 
debris.  2.  At  no  place  has  the  granite  been  observed  to  be  intrusive  in 
the  Franciscan.  3.  The  intrusive  relation  of  the  granite  to  the  older 
rocks  is  clearly  shown  at  many  localities ;  as,  included  fragments  of 
these  older  rocks  are  common  in  the  granite;  but  no  Franciscan  frag- 
ments have  been  thus  found  in  the  granite,  "although  the  radiolarian 


«Beck,  Richard,  Die  Lehre  von  den  Erzlagorstatten  :  edition  of  1903,   translated  by 
\\.  H.  Weed,  The  nature  of  ore  deposits,  vol.   2,  p.   359,   1905. 
■on.  cit.,  pp.  152,  et  seq.,  1888. 
»Lawson,    A.    C,   U.    S.    Geol.    Surv.    Geol.    Atlas,    San    Francisco    Folio    (No.    193), 


I'd  CALIFOKMA    STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

cherts  ;ii-('  well  adapted  lo  presei'vatioii  as  inclusions,  as  is  shown  by  tlie 
i'act  that  ihvy  are  common  in  the  rocivs  tliat  intrude  the  Franciscan 
strata."  4.  The  pre-granitie  rocks  are  generally  metamorphosed,  and 
consist  chiefly  of  marbles,  (luartzites,  and  schists,  none  of  which 
resemble  the  Franciscan  strata.  5.  The  local  metamorphism  in  the 
I''''ranciscan  is  dne  to  basic  in-uptives.  and  not  o-i-anitic  intrusions. 
These  considerations  lead  to  the  c(>iiclusion  that  the  F^'i-anciscan  is  post- 
granitic.     This  being"  the  case 

°"and  accepting  the  view  that  the  granitic  rocks  of  the  Coast  Ranges  are  continuous 
Willi  and  of  the  same  age  as  tlie  granite  of  tlie  Sierra  Nevada,  we  must  conclude  that 
the  Franciscan  group  is  post-Jurassic.  Tliis  conslusion  is  clearly  in  conllict  with  that 
drawn  from  the  fact  that  the  Franciscan  lies  iinconformal^ly  below  the  Knoxville 
(Lowei'  Cretaceous).  At  present  there  appears  to  be  no  way  of  harmonizing  the 
conflict  without  (1)  either  extending  the  geologic  time  at  the  interval  between  the 
recognized  Cretaceous  and  the  Juni.ssic,  an  extension  that  should  not  lie  made  without 
the  justification  of  more  thorougli  in\estigation,  oi-  (2)  assuming  a  peiiod  of  hatlio- 
lithic  dexelopment  in  the  Coast  Ranges  that  was  distinct  from  and  older  than  that  in 
the  Sierra  Nevada,  an  assumption  that  should  also  not  be  made  without  fuT-tlu'i-  and 
fuller  investigation." 

The  Franciscan  group  (named  from  San  Francisco,  wliere  it  occurs 
in  extensive  exposures  and  from  which  it  was  tirst  described'")  com- 
prises.^^ 

"(1)  a  volimiinous  accumulation  of  sedimentary  formations,  some  of  them  clearly 
marine,  others  doubtfully  so;  (2)  some  Intercalated  lavas  of  contemporary  age;  and 
(3)  cei-tain  crystalline  schists  produced  by  the  metamorphism  of  both  the  sedi- 
mentary  and   the   igneous   rocks. 

"The  formations  of  the  Franciscan  group  are  pierced  at  many  points  bj'  igneous 
intrusi\es.  which  are  so  intimately  associated  with  the  sedimentary  rocks,  both  as  to 
age  and  as  to  distribution,  that  they  constitute  one  of  the  most  characteristic  features 
of  the  group  *  *  *  these  intrusives  produced  the  metamorphism  that  formed  the 
crystalline  schists  and  so  gave  to  the  Franciscan  group  one  of  its  most  interesting 
features. 

"The  sedimentary  rocks  of  the  group  comprise  (1)  sandstones,  conglomerates, 
and  shales;  (2)  limestone;  and  (3)  radiolarian  cherts.  The  igneous  rocks  are 
(1)  basalt  or  diabase,  in  many  places  having  a  strongly  pronounced  spheroidal  or 
ellipsoidal  structure,  (2)  periodotites.,  which  have  in  general  become  thoroughly 
serpentinized.  The  dominant  rock  in  the  crystalline  schists  is  glaucophane  schist, 
which  is  so  abundant  in  them  that  the  schists  as  a  whole  are  commonly  referred  to 
as  'the  glaucophane  schists,'  although  other  varieties  of  crystalline  schist  are 
associated  with   them." 

Witli  reference  to  these  intrusives,  Smith^-  says : 

"There  are  in  the  Franciscan  great  masses  of  serpentine  and  numerous  smaller 
areas  of  dyke  rocks,  mapped  with  the  formation,  though  they  ai-e  intrusive  in  it,  and 
therefore  yovmger." 

It  is  a  notable  fact,  and  one  of  which  the  genetic  connection  to  the 
quicksilver  deposits  is  not  yet  definitely  solved,  that  many,  if  not  nearly 
all,  of  the  mines  in  California  are  either  at  or  near  the  contact  of  some 
of  these  serpentine  bodies.  Some  are  within  the  serpentine  itself,  but 
not  the  more  important  ones,  at  least  so  far  as  commercial  development 
to  date  is  concerned. 


•1-.awson,  A.  C.  oj).  cit.  p.  7. 

'"Lawson.  A.  C,  Sketch  of  the  geology  of  the  San  Francisco  Peninsula  :  U.   S.  Geol. 

,ir        ll^fl-.       A.^n        TJnn  r^ri        •?  Q  O  -  d  7  ft        ISO"". 


•1-.awson,  A.  C.  o]j.  cit.  p.  7. 

'"Lawson.  A.  C,  Sketch  of  the  geologv  of  the  San  Francisco  Pt 
Surv.  l.'Sth  Ann.  Rep.,  pp.  399-476.  189.^. 

"Lawson,  A.  C.  I^  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Geol.  Atlas,  San  Francis 
p.  4.   1914. 


SCO    Folio     (No.    193). 


1,    J  :m  4 . 

'-Smith,  J.  P.,  The  geologic  formations  of  California  :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull, 
p.  32,  191G. 


(^ncKSII.VER    RESOURCES.  21 

CHARACTER  and  AGE  of  EUROPEAN  QUICKSILVER  DEPOSITS. 

For  purposes  of  comparison,  the  following  snnnnaries  relative  to 
the  deposits  of  Spain  and  Austria  are  here  quoted.  Beck^''  states  that 
the  deposits  at  Almaden,  Spain,  consist  of  three  quartzite  beds  impreg'- 
nated  witli  cinnabar,  tlie  beds  lieing  of  a  mean  thickness  of  26  to  32 
feet.  Their  richnes.s  increased  with  depth  to  below  863  feet.  (Lind- 
gren^^  in  1913  says:  ''down  to  1300  feet.") 

"The  rocks  consist  of  steeply  upturned  shales  of  Silurian  and  Devonian  age,  witli 
intercalated  (luartzites.  which  weather  out  in  steep  rocky  outcrops.  The  strata  are 
often   interrupted  by  dialiases  and  huge  intercalations  of  igneous  rocks." 

As  to  Idria,  Austria  :'^ 

"The  deposits  occur  in  an  area  of  Alpine  Triassic  rocks,  which  have  been  disturbed 
at  this  locality  in  a  very  complicated  way  by  a  number  of  faults  and  overthrusts,  and 
have  been  broken  into  a  group  of  fault  blocks,  with  northwest  strike.  *  *  * 
The  quicksilver  deposits  of  Idria  consist  only  in  small  part  of  true  veins,  being 
mainly  impregnations  in  country  rock  which  are  in  part  connected  with  large,  well- 
detined  fissures,  though  this  is  no  longer  demonstrable,  owing  to  the  removal  of 
material  from  the  workings.  They  appear  to  form  stratiform  deposits.  In  both 
fissures  and  impregnations  the  mineralogic  character  of  the  deposit  is  simple.  Cin- 
nabar is  the  predominant  ore.  *  *  *  xhe  quicksilver  ores,  therefore,  in  the  most 
important  part  of  the  Idria  mines,  have  impregnated  extensive  masses  of  completely 
disintegrated  rock,  and  have  more  or  less  saturated  either  highly  porous  or  specially 
bituminous  beds  which  acted  as  filters.  The  real  channels  of  supply  are  not  revealed. 
As  the  dislocations  of  the  region  are  of  Tertiary  (probably  Eocene)  age  it  follows 
that  the  impregnation  with  quicksilver  compounds  is  of  very  youthful  age." 

With  reference  also  to  Idria,  Lindgren^**  states  that 

"The  ore  bodies,  which  apparently  do  not  extend  below  a  depth  of  1000  feet,  in 
places  follow  the  stratifications.  *  *  *  The  ores  are  usually  designated  as 
'impregnations'  in  shale  or  marls,  but  small  veins  and  stockworks  are  also  fovuid 
especially  in  the  dolomite.  The  age  of  deposition  is  certainly  post-Cretaceous,  prob- 
ably Tertiary." 

It  will  be  noted  from  the  foregoing  that  these,  the  greatest  two  quick- 
silver deposits  of  the  world,  likewise  their  worthy  namesakes  in  Cali- 
fornia, are  relatively  shallow  in  depth  when  we  compare  them  with 
many  cf  the  well-known  gold  or  copper  mines,  the  world  over. 

THE  ORE  DEPOSITION. 

The  earlier  theory  of  the  deposition  of  quicksilver  ores  (particularly 
cinnabar  and  native  mercury)  ascribed  it  to  pneumatolitic  action — 
that  is,  by  vapors  and  l\v  sublimation.  Following  the  experiments  of 
Christy^'  and  Becker,^*  it  is  now  generally  accepted  that  the  majority 
of  such  ore-bodies,  if  not  all.  are  tlie  result  of  hydro-thermal  deposition; 
and  that  the  hot  springs  which  were  the  agencies  for  the  deposition 
I'ither  accompanied  or  followed  immediately  after  periods  of  volcanic 
activitv  or  otlier  io-neous  intrusions. 


'='Beck,  Richard,  Die  Lehr  von  den  Erzlagerstatten,  1909,  vol.  1,  pp.  5iy-.522  ; 
edition  of  1!)03  (pp.  35.5-366)  translated  bv  W.  H.  Weed:  The  nature  of  ore  deposits, 
vol.   2,  pp.    350-351.    1905. 

See  also:   De  Launay,  Traite  de  Metallogenie,  vol.   2,   1S93,  pp.   672-6S0. 

"Lindgren,  Waldemar:  Mineral  deposits,  p.   465,  1913. 

'^Beck-Weed  trans.,  op.  cit.  p.   352. 

'^op.  cit.  p.   466. 

^"Christy,  S.  B.,  On  the  genesis  of  cinnabai-  deposits:  Am.  Join-.  Sci.,  3d  ser.  \o\.  17, 
pp.   453-463.    1879. 

"*Becker.  (r.  T<\.  Geology  of  the  (luicksilvn-  d.posits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  U.  S.  Geol. 
Suiv..    Moil.    XIll.    jip.    4i;i-).",ii.    17:'>-475. 


22  CALIFORNIA  STATK    MINING  BUREAU. 

According  to  Becker^" 

"In  any  one  quicksilver  bearing  region,  such  as  the  Coast  Ranges  of  California  or 
inner  Austria,  it  is  difficult  to  avoid  ascribing,  a  common  source  to  the  ore.  This  can 
not  be  the  adjoining  rocks,  for  they  are  most  various.  On  the  other  hand,  granitoid 
rocks  seem  everywliere  to  underlie  the  superficial,  more  heterogeneous  formations, 
witliin  a  very  few  miles  of  tlie  siiiface.  The  evidence  is  overwhelming  that  in  many 
cases  quicksilver  oies  were  deposited  from  thermal  spring.s  of  volcanic  origin  ;  and 
the  analogy  between  the  deposits  is  so  great  that,  in  the  absence  of  positive  evidence 
of  a  different  origin,  the  probabilities  are  in  favor  of  the  hypothesis  of  a  similar 
origin  for  all  of  them.  This  does  not  imply  tliat  all  quicksilver  deposits  are  of  the 
same  age  :  those  of  Almaden  for  example,  .si'em  to  Vie  far  older  tlian  most  or  perhaps 
any  of  the  California  deposits.  Assuming  that  the  quicksilver  ores  have  been 
deposited  from  hot  springs  due  to  volcanism,  it  would  seem  that  cinnabar  might  br 
classed  as  a  volcanic  emanation.  In  that  case,  however,  one  would  look  for  this 
ore  as  a  component  of  lavas  and  in  craters.  It  is  not  certainly  known  to  occur  in 
this  way,  and  if  it  exists  in  tliis  association  it  must  be  very  lare.  It  seems  to  follow 
that  the  volcanic  springs  must  have  leached  the  quicksilver  from  deep-seated  rocks 
of  very  wide  distribution,  i.  e.,  either  from  the  granitic  masses  or  from  some  unknown 
infragranitic  rocks  overlying  the  foci  of  volcanic  activity. 

"To  account  for  the  limited  ai'eas  in  which  quicksilver  occurs  it  must  further  be 
supposed  either  that  the  volcanic  emanations  are  not  everywhere  charged  with 
solvents  for  quicksilver,  or  that  the  rocks  overlying  the  volcanic  foci  do  not  every- 
where contain  quicksilver.  Each  of  these  suppositions  involves  a  certain  amount  of 
irregularity  in  subterranean  conditions.  This,  however,  is  not  of  itself  a  stumbling- 
block,  since  the  mere  existence  of  mountain  ranges  forbids  the  hypothesis  of  mii- 
formity  within  scores  of  miles  from  the  surface." 

LindgTen-"  suinniarizes  similar  views,  in  the  following: 

"The  uniform  character  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  points  to  a  common  genesis  for 
all  of  them.  The  earlier  belief  that  the  ores  were  products  of  sublimation  is  generally 
abandoned,  for  the  usual  mode  of  occurrence,  with  minerals  of  aqueous  origin,  such 
as  calcite,  opal,  chalcedony,  and  often  barite.  is  decidedly  opposed  to  such  a  view. 
Becker  has  pointed  out  that,  as  the  character  of  the  enclosing  rocks  has  little  influence 
on  the  deposits,  they  are  most  probably  derived  from  a  common,  deep-seated  source. 
Their  structure  indicates  deposition  near  the  surface,  as  does  also  the  physiographic 
evidence  at  many  places — for  instance,  where  the  ore  appears  in  the  crevices  of 
Quaternary  and   little-eroded   lava   flows. 

"When  it  is  noted  that  hot  springs  and  volcanic  surface  flows  are  present  in  almost 
all  regions  of  importance  (except  Almaden  in  Spain,  Idria  in  Austria,  and  Nikitowka 
in  Russia),  and  that  cinnabar  in  considerable  quantities  is  associated  with  undoubted 
spring  deposits,  or  is  actually  deposited  in  hot  springs,  the  argument  becomes  very 
strong  indeed  that  such  hot  springs  have  formed  the  majority  of  the  deposits.  For 
the  tew  deposits  tliat  have  no  such  clear  connection  with  volcanic  rocks — for 
instance,  those  mentioned  above — the  characteristic  mineral  association  still  holds 
good,  and  we  are  forced  to  the  hypothesis  that  volcanism  and  hot-spring  action  are 
the  causes  of  these  also,  though  the  products  of  the  igneous  activity  may  have  failed 
to  reach  the  surface  and  the  hot  springs  may  have  subsided." 

The  last  statement  in  the  above  quotation  would  apply  particularly 
to  the  Great  Eastern  mine  in  Sonoma  County,  California,  the  one  not- 
able example  in  this  state  not  visibly  connected,  either  intimately  or 
within  a  few  miles,  with  volcanic  or  intrusive  igneous  roeks. 

Forstner^^  notes  that : 

*  *  *  "It  is  a  striking  fact  that  most  of  the  jtromincnt  mines  north  of  S.an 
Francisco  are  in  close  proximit.\'  to  ba.saltic  or  relatively  recent  eruptions,  as  for 
instance  :  The  Aetna  mines,  a  basalt  dike  on  the  Silver  Bow  claim,  and  basalt  in  the 
Star  claim  :  the  Oatliill  mine,  a  large  basalt  liodv  in  close  vicinity  to  the  mine  ;  the 
Corona  and  Twin  Peaks  mines,  between  the  basalt  of  Oathill  and  that  of  the  Howell 
Mountains:  the  Great  Westei'n,  a  body  of  liasalt  south  and  in  close  pi'oximity  to  the 
mine;  the  Sulphur  Bank,  basalt  all  around  the  mine:  the  Manhattan,  surrounded  b\ 
basalt  to  the  east  and  nortli  :  the  Boston,  within  half  a  mile  of  the  basalt  in  th. 
Manhattan  groun<l. 

"In  the  southern  field  the  geogological  conditions  vary  very  much.  In  tli(>  New 
Idiia  district  no  definitely  post-Tertiary  igneous  rocks  can  lie  found,  and  those  rock;^ 
which  show  indications  of  igneous  origin  are  so  altered  that  it  reiiuires  microscopic 
study  of  the  rocks  to  determine  whether  they  are  altered  eruptives  or  sedinientarles. 
In  the  Stayton  district  the  country  rock  near  the  ore  deposition  is  prominentl.\' 
basaltic,  sometimes  closely  related  to  Becker's  asperites.  In  San  Luis  Obispo  County, 
in  the  Pine  Mountain,  Adelaide,  and  Oceanic  districts,  the  scatt»>red  exposm-es  of 
igneous  rock  are  of  rhyolite.  In  Santa  Clara  Cotuit>-  th«'  (inly  eruptive  rock  in  ihe 
neighborhood  of  the  ore  deposits  is  rhyolite." 


"Becker,  G.  F.,  Quicksilver  ore  deposits:  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Min.  Res.  for  1892, 
p.  157,  18!)3. 

^''Lindgren,  Waldemar,  Mineral  deposits,  p.   469,   1913. 

^'For-^tner,  William,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.. 
Bull.  27,  p.  21.  1903. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  23 

Solubility  of  Cinnabar. 

After  reeonntiug  the  experiments  and  experiences  of  a  considerable 
number  of  investigators  relative  to  the  solubility  and  syntheses  of  the 
sulphides  of  mercury,  Clarke'--  gives  the  following  summary  of  their 
data : 

"It  will  be  noticed  that  several  of  the  syntheses  of  cinnabar  involve  the  solubility 
of  mercuric  sulphide  in  solutions  of  alkaline  sulphides  or  sulphydrates.  On  this  sub- 
ject, apart  from  synthetic  considerations,  there  is  a  copious  literature.  *  *  *  -phe 
solubility  of  the  mercuric  sulphide  manifestly  depends  upon  considerations  of  tempera- 
ture, pressure,  concentration,  and  the  nature  of  the  solutions  employed,  whether 
neutral  salts,  sulphydrates.  or  pob'sulphides.  That  mercuric  sulphide  is  precipitated 
again  by  dilution  has  been  shown  by  various  oljservers,  and  Becker  reports 
admixtures  of  metallic  mercury  in  the  sulphide  thus  thrown  down.  Here,  then,  we 
have  a  possible  explantition  of  the  frequent  association  of  free  inercury  and  the  black 
metacinnabarite,  although  relief  of  pressure  may  be  in  some  cases  the  equivalent  of 
dilution  as  a  precipitant.  Organic  matter,  also,  is  a  probable  agent  of  reduction,  by 
whicli  the  m.etal  is  liberated.  Bituminous  substances,  such  as  idrialite,  napalite,  etc., 
are  commonly  associated  with  cinnabar  ;  and  at  the  Phoenix  mine  in  California  an 
inflammable  gas  issuing  from  cracks  in  the  rocks  was  found  by  W.  H.  Melville  to 
have"   61. 49*^^   of  CH4  in  its  composition. 

"The  hydrocarbon  CH,,  it  must  be  observed,  is  the  first  member  of  the  paraffin 
series,  to  which  some  bitimiens  belong.  Becker  has  shown  that  hydrocarbons  will 
precipitate  mercuric  sulphide  from  its  alkaline  solutions,  first,  probably,  as  metacinna- 
barite, which  is  afterwards  slowly  transformed  into  cinnabar.  Another  suggestion, 
due  to  A.  Schrauf,  who  has  studied  the  occurrence  of  mercury  ores  in  Idria,  is  that 
the  metal  may  be  liberated  by  the  direct  dissociation  of  cinnabar  vapor.  He  also 
ascribes  the  formation  of  some  metacinnabarite  to  the  action  of  hydrogen  sulphide 
upon  native  mercury.  Here  again  we  are  reminded  that  the  same  point  may  be 
reached  by   more  than   one  road." 

The  cliemieal  characteristics  of  mercury  are  further  discussed  in  the 
section  of  this  present  bulletin  on  metallurgy  (see  post). 

FORM   OF  THE  DEPOSITS. 

The  forms  of  the  deposits  vary  iu  much  the  same  way  that  those  of 
other  metallic  ores  vary,  with  the  hardness,  porosity,  etc.  of  the  enclos- 
ing rocks,  and  with  the  extent  and  character  of  the  fractures  invaded 
by  the  ore-bearing  solutions.  Quicksilver  ore  bodies  are  found  as  fis- 
sure veins,  reticulated  veins,  stockworks,  the  'chambered  veins'  of 
Becker,  impregnations,  and  placers.  With  reference  to  the  form  of 
the  deposits.  Becker-''  observes  that  it  has  often  been  asserted  that 
quicksilver  ores  do  not  form  deposits  similar  to  those  of  the  ores  of 
other  metals,  but  that  he  can  find  no  evidence  of  this.  With  reference 
to  chambered  veins,  he  states  r* 

"In  many  cases  the  deposits  occupy  zones  of  broken  country  rock  and  can  not  be 
regarded  as  simple  veins.  They  may  be  divided  into  stocks,  stockworks,  etc.,  but 
nearly  or  quite  ever>-where  the  various  ore  chambe.s  are  connected  by  fissures  in  such 
a  way  that  tlie  whole  deposit  may  be  better  considered  as  consisting  of  fissures  with 
excrescent  chambers.  I  have  suggested  the  term  'chambered  veins'  for  such  occur- 
rences as  distinguished  from  simple  fissure  veins.  In  such  deposits  one  may  distin- 
guish lateral  chambers  and  cap  chambers  according  to  the  relations  which  the  ore 
chambers  bear  to  the  main  fissure.  These  terms  have  met  the  approval  of  some 
mining  engineers.  No  better  or  more  important  instance  of  a  chambered  vein  can  be 
given  than  the  deposits  of  New   Almaden. 

"It  is  only  under  very  exceptional  circumstances  that  disturbances  in  the  earth 
result  in  the  formation  of  a  single  fissure.  Much  more  frequently  a  system  of 
parallel  fissures  is  produced  which,  when  filled  with  ore,  forms  a  system  of  parallel 
veins.  A  'Gangzug'  or  system  of  linked  veins  seems  to  occur  in  rocks  which  present 
somewhat  irregular  resistance  under  the  action  of  forces  such  as  would  produce  a 
system  of  parallel  fissures  if  the  rock  presented  uniform  resistance." 


-Clarke.  F.  W.,  The  data  of  geochemistry:  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Bull.  616,  p.  667,  1916. 

"•■U.  y.  Geol.  Survey.,  :\ron.  XIII,  p.  472. 

='U.   S.  Geol.   Surv.,  Min.   Res.   for   lS'.t2,  p,   158. 


24  CALIF'ORMA    STATK   MINING  BUREAU. 

While,  as  deseiilx'd  above,  the  forms  of  quicksilver  ore-l)odies  do  not 
dilfer  essentially  from  the  forms  l\iio\vn  and  recognized  in  the  cases  of 
the  other  precions  and  semi-pi'ecions  metals,  they  do  differ  in  one  very 
important  feature — that  of  depth.  As  is  noted  in  preeediug  para- 
graphs-^, the  most  famous  quicksilver  mines  of  the  woi-ld.  Almaden, 
(Spain),  Idria,  (Austria),  New  Almaden  and  New  Idria  in  California, 
have  been  worked  to  depths  of  only  1300',  1000',  2450'  and  1060' 
respectively ;  and  with  the  exception  of  the  first-named  have  all  appar- 
entl.y  bottomed  their  ore-])odies.  In  California,  but  few  of  the  quick- 
silver mines  have  been  worked  to  depths  greater  than  500  feet  below 
their  outcrops.  The  superficial  nature  of  quicksilver  ore  dei)Osits  is 
more  fully  realized,  when  we  consider  the  fact  that  numy  gold  and 
copper  mines,  the  world  over,  are  being  profitably  worked  at  depths 
exceeding  2000  feet,  and  some  even  down  to  nearly  6000  feet. 

"■See  p.   21. 


PLATE  IV. 


I 


C. 


A.     Coarse    cinnabar    crystals    from    Culver-Baer    Mine,    Sonornn    County.    California. 

v..     Minutely  disseminated   cinnabar   in   silica  of  recemented  breccia,   from   Goldbank 

Mine,   near   Winnemucca,   Nevada. 

C.     Massive    cinnabar    from    New    Almadcn    Mine,    Santa    Clara    County.    California. 
D.  24    38540 


i 


quicksilver  resources.  25 

Chapter  3. 

MERCURY  MINERALS. 

Although  inei'cin-y  is  a  component  of  more  than  twenty  distinct  min- 
eral species,  there  are  bnt  three  of  them  that  can  be  considered  of  com- 
mercial value — cinnabar,  native  quicksilver,  and  metacinnabarite.  Of 
these,  more  than  95%  of  the  world's  output  is  obtained  from  the  sul- 
phide, cinnabar. 

Cinnabar— Hg  S.  (Mercury  86.2%:  sulphur  13.8%).  Color,  cochi- 
neal-red, often  inclinini:-  to  brownish  red  and  lead-gray.  Streak,  scar- 
let. Transparent  to  opaque.  Luster  adamantine,  inclining  to  metallic 
when  dark-colored,  and  to  dull  in  friable  and  le.ss  distinctly  crystal- 
line or  'earthy'  varieties.  Hexagonal-rhombohedral-trapezohedral. 
Crystals  usually  rhombohedral  or  thick  tabular  in  habit,  according  to 
Dana^  rarely  showing  trapezohedral  faces ;  also  acicular  prismatic.  In 
crystalline  incrustations,  granular,  massive ;  sometimes  as  an  earthy 
coating  ('paint').  The  writer  has  a  hand  specimen  from  the  Culver- 
Baer  IMine,  Sonoma  County,  California,  (see  Plate  IV)  showing  beau- 
tiful ,  transparent,  somewhat  tabular  crystals,  up  to  a  quarter-inch 
across. 

Cleavage:  prismatic  perfect.  Fracture  subconchoidal,  uneven. 
Somewhat  sectile.     IIardnes.s — 2.0-2.5.     Specific  gravity — 8.0-8.2. 

Hepatic  Cinnabar  or  Liver  Ore,  contains  some  carbon  aud  clay;  color 
and  streak  brownish. 

Cinnabar's  most  frequent  occurrence,  in  California  at  least,  is  in 
metamorphic  sandstones  aud  shales  at  or  near  the  contact  of  an  igneous 
rock  (more  often  serpentine,  which  is  an  alteration  form  of  the  orig- 
inal rock),  and  in  serpentine.  It  is  generally  conceded  to  have  been 
deposited  by  solfataric  waters  carrying  the  sulphide  in  solution,  im- 
pregnating the  sandstones  and  filling  cavities  among  the  brecciated 
masses.  Due  to  silification  accompanying  or  following,  much  opal  and 
chalcedony  are  often  present.  In  some  cases  observed  by  the  writer, 
notably  the  Goldbank  ^Mine  ore,  which  is  described  elsewhere  herein, 
(see  p.  288,  post),  apparently  the  cinnabar  and  the  silica  have  been 
deposited  sinuiltaneously.  There  is  some  question  as  to  whether  the 
earthy  or  'paint'  variety  of  cinnabar  is  not  crypto-crystalline  or  even 
amorphous.-  Specimens  have  been  i^xamined  under  the  microscope 
which  showed  no  crystal  form  at  200  diameters  magnification ;  but  pos- 
sibly a  still  higher  magnification  would  resolve  it.  Investigators  seem 
to  be  not  all  agreed  that  there  is  such  a  thing  as  an  'amorphous'  min- 
eral.' 


•Dana,  E.   S..  Textbook  of  Mineralogy,   18519,  p.   .I'.ri. 

-See  Becker,  G.  F.,  re  Sulphur  Bank,  in  U.   S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.   257. 

"See  Am.  Jour.  Sci.  XLI,  1916,  pp.  490,  4!)1. 


26  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

Metacinnabarite — the  black  sulphide  of  mercury,  has  the  same 
chemical  formula  as  cinnabar,  Ilg  S;  but  is  grayish  black  in  color; 
streak,  black;  and  crystallizes  in  tlic  isometric  system,  tetrahedral.  It 
usually  occurs  massive,  and  often  stated  to  be  amorphous.  It  readily 
reerystallizes  into  cinnabar  under  certain  conditions.  Metacinnabar- 
ite was  first  reported  from  the  old  Redington  ^Mine  at  Knoxville,  Napa 
County,  California,  in  1872  and  occurred  there  in  considerable  qiTan- 
tities;  but  has  since  been  found  at  a  number  of  other  localitias  in  this 
State.  It  has  a  hardness  of  3.0,  and  specific  gravity  of  7.8;  being 
slightly  harder  and  lighter  than  cinnabar. 

Native  Mercury — Hg.  It  occurs  to  some  extent  in  many  quick- 
silver mines,  accompanying  cinnabar,  not  often  in  large  quantities,  but 
generally  in  disseminated  fine  liquid  globules.  In  California  it  seems 
to  be  characteristic  of  the  quicksilver  ore  deposits  within  certain  ser- 
pentine areas,  rather  than  those  outside  of  the  serpentine. 

The  less  important  mercury  minerals,  occurrences  of  which  have 
been  noted  in  California  are : 

Amalgam — a  native  alloy  of  mercury  and  gold  was  reported  from 
Mariposa  County  by  Sonnenschein,*  and  from  Nevada  County  by 
Lindgren.^  The  silver  amalgams,  Arquerite  of  Coquimbo,  Chile 
(AgjoHg)  and  Kongshergite  of  Norway  (Agj^Hg  or  Agy^ng)  have  not 
been  reported  as  occurring  in  California. 

Calomel — Horn  Quicksilver,  mercurous  chloride,  HgoCL.  Tetra- 
gonal. Color,  white,  gray,  brown;  Adamantine  luster;  hardness 
1.0-2.0;  specific  gravity  6.48.  Mercury  84.9%;  chlorine  75.1%. 
Sometimes  found  in  small,  clear,  colorless  crystals,  and  in  white  crystal- 
line coatings  in  cinnabar  districts.  It  has  been  reported  from  Napa 
and  San  Mateo  counties." 

Coccinite — iodide  of  mercury,  Hg  I.  Color  reddish  bro-wn.  Re- 
ported with  stibnite  in  Kern  County,  by  J.  D.  Dana." 

Coloradoite — telluride  of  mercury,  Hg  Te.  Rare.  INIassive,  granu- 
lar. Color,  iron-black ;  metallic  luster ;  hardness,  3 ;  specific  gravity, 
8.63.  Identified  with  other  tellurides  from  the  Norwegian  Mine,  Tuol- 
umne County  by  Hillebrand.^^ 

Eglestonite — oxychloride  of  mercury,  Hg^CI.O.  Isometric,  in  min- 
ute crystals.  Color,  yellowish  brown,  changing  to  black.  Resinous  to 
adamantine  luster;  hai'dness,  2-3;  specific  gravity  8.33.  This  rare 
mineral  has  been  identified  from  San  ^Mateo  County,  by  Rogers."^     Its 


^Sonnenschein,  F.,  Zeits,  der  grfolog.  Oe.scll.scli,  Vol.  VI.  p.  243,  1854.  See  also 
Eaklf,  A.   S.,  Minoral.s  of  Califoniia  :  Cal.   State  Min.   Bur.  Bull.   67,  p.   l.S,   1914. 

"Liudgrt-n,  Walilcmar,  U.  S.  G.  S..  Ann.  Hop.  17,  Pt.  2,  p.  13.  See  also  Eakle, 
A.   S.,  op.  fit.  J).    1.0. 

«Cal.   Statr-  Min.   Bur.,   Bull.   fi7,   p.    r.7. 

'Sv.stem  of  Mincialnny,  1S68.  Sec  aLso  Kakle,  A.  S..  Minerals  of  California:  Cal. 
Statp  Min.  Bur.  Bull.  07,  p.  61. 

"Ililli'lirand.  Amcr.  .lour.  Sci.,  1S09,  Vol.  VIII,  p.  29.5.  See  also  Eakle,  A.  S., 
Minoral.s  of  California:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.  Bull.   67,  p.   59,   1914. 

"Rogers,  A.  V.,  Amer.  Jour.  Sci.,  i:il1.  ^'ol.  32,  p.  4  8.  See  also  Eakle,  A.  S., 
op.   fit.  p.   61. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  27 

most  noteworthy  oei'urreiiec  is  in  the  Terlingua  quicksilver  district, 
Texas,  in  association  with  those  other  oxides  and  oxychlorides,  kleinite, 
montroydite  and  terlinguaite,  described  hereinafter,  and  also  calomel. 
Tiemannite — selenide  of  mercury,  Hg  Se.  Isometric,  tetrahedral. 
Oenerally  massive.  Color  dark  lead-gray ;  streak  black ;  hardness  2.5  ; 
specifie  gravity  8.30-8.47.  Though  this  selenide  is  not  common,  some 
large  masses  of  it  have  been  found  in  association  with  cinnabar,  not- 
ably in  the  Abbott  Mine,  Lake  County,  California,  and  in  the  Lucky 
Boy  Mine,  Piute  County,  Utah,  the  latter  yielding  quicksilver  on  a  com- 
mercial scale  for  some  time,  in  1887,  according  to  Becker.^°  In  Cali- 
fornia it  has  also  been  noted  in  Orange  and  Santa  Clara  counties,"  and 
in  the  Socrates  Mine,  Sonoma  County. 

In  addition  to  the  above  described  mercury  minerals,  the  following 
have  been  noted  elsewhere  but  not  as  yet  reported  occurring  in  Cali- 
fornia : 

Ammiolite — a  doubtful  antimonite  of  mercury,  with  some  copper, 
sulphur  and  iron,  from  Chile.  An  earthy  powder  color  deep  red  or 
scarlet.     Possibly  antimonate  of  copper  mixed  with  mercuric  sulphide. 

Barcenite — related  to  Ammiolite,  but  contains  no  copper.  Possibly 
antimonate  of  mercury.     Rare. 

GuadaJcazarite — a  sulphide  of  mercury  similar  to  metacinnabarite 
with  a  portion  of  the  sulphur  replaced  by  selenium.  Some  zinc  is 
stated  also  to  be  present,  but  probably  not  essential.  From  Guadalca- 
zar,  Mexico. 

Kleinite — ^"  possibly  a  mixture  of  mercury-ammonium  chloride., 
NHgoCl  in  great  preponderance,  with  an  oxychloride  and  a  sulphate  or 
oxysulphate  of  mercury."^-  From  Terlingua,  Texas,  associated  with 
eglestonite  and  montroydite.  The  original  color  of  this  mineral  in  the 
mine  is  almost  canary  yellow,  but  it  deepens  slightly  to  reddish  yellow 
or  orange  on  exposure  to  light,  regaining  the  lighter  shade  after 
returning  to  the  dark.  Occurs  mostly  in  small,  distinct  crystals,  hexa- 
gonal, and  showing  a  good  basal  cleavage.  Luster  adamantine  to 
greasy.     Hardness  3.5 ;  specific  gravity  7.98. 

Lehrbachite — a  combination  of  selenide  of  mercury  and  of  lead. 
Massive,  granular ;  specific  gravity  7.8 ;  color  lead-gray  to  iron-black. 
From  Lehrbach  in  the  Harz  Mountains,  Germany. 

Levig-lianite — an  iron  bearing  guadalcazarite. 

Living'stonite — a  mercury-antimony  sulphide,  HgS.  2Sb2S3.  Re- 
sembles stibnite  in  form.  Color,  lead-gray;  streak,  red;  hardness  2.0; 
specific  gravity  4.81.     From  Huitzuco,  Mexico. 

Magnolite — mercurous  tellurate,  Hg  Te.  O4. 

"Becker,  G.  F.,  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.   385. 
"Gal.  State  Min.  Bur.  :^iill.  67,  p.  47. 

'=Hillebrand,  W.  F.  and  Schaller,  W.  T.,  The  mercury  minerals  of  Terlingua,  Texas; 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bull.  405,  p.  19,  1909. 


28  CAUFOK'NIA    STATK   MINING  BUREAU. 

Montr oydite — oxide  ol'  iiierciuy,  IJgO  containing  niereury  92.6%, 
oxygen  7.4%.  Occurs  in  prismatic  crystals,  some  distorted,  flattened, 
also  worm-like  forms.  Color,  from  deep  red  almost  l)lack,  through 
dark  orange  to  pale  yellow.  Luster  vitreous,  inclining  to  adamantine. 
Crystallization,  orthorhombic ;  cleavage  perfect  parallel  to  the 
braehypinacoid.  From  Terlingua,  Texas,  associated  with  eglestonite, 
kleinite  and  t(M'linguaite.^^ 

Onofrite — a  sulphide  of  mercury  with  part  of  the  sulphur  replaced 
by  selenium,  Ilg  (S,Se),  containing  up  to  6.5%  selenium.  Sometimes 
associated  with  tiemannite.  From  San  Onofre,  ^lexico,  and  ^lai-ys- 
vale.  Utah. 

Terlingnaite — oxyehloride  of  mercury,  Hg.  CIO.  Color,  "sulphur- 
yellow,  olive  green  of  varying  shades,  and  brown,  of  which  the  sulphur- 
yellow  probably  changes  to  the  olive-green."^*  Hardness  2-3;  specific 
gravity,  about  8.7.  Occurs  as  distinct  crystals,  as  a  crystalline  crust. 
and  as  a  yellow  powder.  The  powder  darkens  on  exposure  to  light. 
Cleavage  perfect,  parallel  to  I't^ar  unit  orthodome.  From  Terlingua. 
Texas,  associated  with  eglestonite,  kleinite  and  montroydite. 

Tocornalite — iodide  of  silver  and  mercury.  Color  pale  yellow ; 
granular  and  massive. 

ASSOCIATED  and   GANGUE   MINERALS. 

Tlie  principal  associated  and  gangue  minerals  in  California  (^uick- 
silver  ores  are:  pyrite,  marcasite,  chalcedony,  opal,  dolomite,  serpen- 
tine, quartz,  petroleum  and  liitunuMis.  Millerite,  barite,  magnesite, 
pyrargyrite,  pyrolusite,  stibnite,  redingtonite,  knoxvillite,  native  sul- 
phur and  gold,  have  also  been  noted  as  occurring  in  association  with 
certain  cinnabar  deposits  in  this  State. 

The  following  table  compiled  by  Becker^^  shows  the  principal  min- 
erals and  gangues,  reported  from  nearly  thirty  of  the  most  important 
mines  and  districts  of  both  hemispheres,  and  is  here  given  so  that 

"the  reader  may  .see  at  a  Rlance  both  the  frequency  \vith  which  quicksilver  is  found 
in  company  with  a  sixen  metalUc  or  earthy  mineral  and  the  particidar  combination 
in  a  given  di.strict.  Tlie  table  is  necessarily  impeifect.  since  the  reports  a)'e  in  many 
cases  laekinfi  in  fullness.  The  attempt  is  also  made  to  distinguish  the  relative  fre- 
quency of  tile  minerals  noted  so  far  as  the  reports  enable  one  to  Judse.  »  *  * 
Blanks  represent  tlie  absence  of  reports,  for  it  would  manifestly  be  impossible  to 
demonstrate  the  absence  of  any  mineral  in  any  tleposit.      *      *      • 


'■'Hillel))and  &  Schaller,  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bull.  405. 
"Hillehrand  &  Schaller,  op.  cit.,  p.  S5. 

'•"Becker,  G.   V..  Quicksilver  ore  deposits:  U.   S.   Geol.    Surv..   Min.   Res.   of  U.   S.   for 
1892,  p.   14.-),   1893. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


29 


MINERALS   ASSOCIATED   WITH    QUICKSILVER   ORES. 

p=prevalent;   th-j  inincrnl  usually   nccoiii|)iiiiics  tlu'  (>n>  or  is  prcsviit  in  groat  quantity  in  the 
mine. 

a  =  8biinrlant:  a  oonsidviablv  part  of  th;'  ore  is  charactcriz'Ml  by  tile  mineral. 
o=occasional:   presence  easily  verified  but  quantity  small. 

r    rare:  seldom  found  or  present  in  very  niiinite  quantities  relatively  to  quicksilver. 
Blanks  indicate  no  report. 


Deposits 


<o 

o 

<D 

03 

C 

i^ 

I.* 

O 

a 

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3 

2 

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t=< 

w 

Ebenezer.    Kicking    Horse    Pass, 
B.  C.  

Sulphur   Bank,    California o 

Manzanita   Mine,   California a 

Knoxville  District.  California o 

-Etna    District,    California a 

Xapa    Consolidated    Mine,    Cali 

fornia    a 

Great  Eastern  Mine,  California.-    a 
Great  Western  Mine.  California.,    a 

Elephant  Vein,   California 

Xe^v  Almaden  Min°,  California '  o 

Xew  Idria  Mine,  California r 

Steamboat  Springs,  Nevada.— 

Guadalcazar,   Mexico   

Huitziico,  Mexico 

Huancavelica,   Peru   

Mieres,  Spain  

Santander,  Spain 

.Almaden,   Spain   

Deposits  in  Algeria 

Cape  Corso,  Corsica 

Vallalta,  Italy 

Mt.  Amiata,  Italy o 

Rhenish  Bavaria,  Germany o 

Idria,  Austria   

Copper  nn'nes,   Hungary 

Thihuthal,  Transylvania 

.\vala,  Servia 

Tagora  and  Gading,  Borneo.. 


a 


r 

P 

P 

r 

r 

P 

P 

a 

P 

a 

P 

P 

a 

r 

r 

•• 

P 
P 

P 

r    p 
o    p 

P 

o 
a 

a 

r 

P        '  P 

P          P 

P  i 

P          P 

r 

r 

p          a 

a 

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a 

o 

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r 

0 

r 

r 

o 

r 

a 
P 

P 

r     a 
P 

a 
P 

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a 
a 

a 

a 

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r 

P 

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o 

a 

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P 
o 

a 

a 

P 

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P 

o 

P 

a 

r 

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o 

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P 

a 
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P 
a 

r 

a 
r 

r 

a 

1  P 

o 

o 

o 

a 

o 

P 

r 

P 
P 

o 

P 

a 
P 

0 

a 

"Gangiie  minerals. — Whenever  a  quicksilver  district  has  been  at  all  fully  reported 
upon  it  appears  that  either  quartz  (frequently  associated  with  hydrous  silica)  or 
calcite  accompanies  the  ore,  and  in  the  greater  number  of  the  cases  both  of  these 
minerals  are  present  in  varying  proportions.  Not  unusually  dolmite  also  is  present, 
as  at  New  Almaden  and  at  Idria.  Ferrous  carbonate  is  also  met  with.  Relatively 
rare  are  barite  and  fluorspar.  Barite  is  found  in  the  Napa  Consolidated,  and  thus  far 
not  elsewhere  in  California.  It  is  also  reported  from  near  Lewiston,  Utah,  and  from 
Guatemala.  Barite  occurs  at  Huancavelica.  At  Almaden  a  small  part  of  the  ore  is 
accompanied  by  the  same  mineral,  and  Prof.  Schrauf  reports  it  from  Idria.  It  was 
foimd  in  the  deposits  of  the  Palatinate  and  at  Avala,  as  well  as  in  Bohemia  at 
Horowitz,  in  Hungary  and  in  Borneo.  Fluorspar  is  said  to  accompany  cinnabar  at 
Guadalcazar,  La  Tolfa  in  Italy,  and  at  Idria.  Gypsum,  like  fluorspar,  is  infrequent. 
I  am  not  aware  of  its  pi-esence  in  the  California  mines,  though  it  is  common  enough 
in  the  regions  surrounding  some  of  them.  It  is  one  of  the  gangue  minei'als  at 
Guadalcazar  and  Huitzuco  in  Mexico,  and  at  the  Vallalta  and  Monte  Amiata  mines  in 
Italy.      A  part  of  the  gypsum  is  perhaps  of  secondary  origin. 

"Boi-ax  is  interesting  in  association  with  cinnabar  because  generally  recognized 
as  an  indication  of  volcanic  oi-igin.  It  occurs  at  Sulphur  Bank,  Knoxville  and  Steam- 
boat Springs,  but  has  not  elsewhere  been  definitely  recognized.  It  is  probable  that 
examination  would  reveal  it  in  the  hot  springs  of  the  Aetna  district,  and  at  the 
Manzanita.  The  solubility  of  Ijorax  of  course  militates  against  its  appearance, 
excepting  where  solfatarism   is  active." 


30  california  state  mining  bureau. 

Chapter  4. 

CALIFORNIA  DISTRICTS. 

The  general  distribution  of  Ihc  quicksilver  deposits  in  California 
maj^  be  noted  on  the  outline  map  (Plate  III).  The  two  main  sub- 
divisions are  the  groups  north  of  San  Francisco  Bay,  and  those  to  the 
south.  The  other,  outlying  districts  are  each  in  a  single  county,  and 
with  the  exception  of  a  recent  prospect  in  southeastern  San  Bernardino 
County,  there  are  none  south  of  Santa  Barbara  or  the  Tehachapi. 
Though  the  occurrence  of  cinnabar  has  been  noted  at  several  localities 
in  the  Sierra  Nevada,  at  only  one  of  these  (-Bernard  mine,  El  Dorado 
County)  has  there  been  any  commercial  production  recorded.  The 
main  northern  subdivision  comprises  the  following  districts : 
Mayacmas,  Clear  Lake,  Suli)luir  Creek,  and  Knoxville;  with  the  Bella 
Union-La  Joya.  and  the  St.  Johns-Hastings  forming  two  somewhat 
isolated  districts  to  the  south  of  the  others.  The  groups  to  the  south 
of  San  Francisco  Bay  are  separated  by  much  longer  intervals  than 
those  to  the  north,  the  principal  districts  being  New  Almaden,  New 
Idria,  northwestern  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  and  Los  Prietos.  A 
description  of  the  general  geology  and  topography  of  these  more 
important  districts,  is  here  taken  up  in  the  order  above  named. 
Descriptions  of  other  localities  or  subdivisions  are  taken  up  under  the 
various  counties.  The  individual  mines  and  plants  are  discussed,  by 
'counties,  in  alphabetical  order. 

MAYACMAS  DISTRICT. 

The  Mayacmas  district  is  so  called  from  the  ^layacmas  Range  of 
which  Mount  St.  Helena  and  Cobb  Mountain  are  the  most  prominent 
points.  It  embraces  parts  of  Napa,  Lake  and  Sonoma  counties,  as  will 
be  noted  hy  the  accompanying  geological  map  (Plate  V),  reprinted 
from  Bulletin  No.  27  of  the  State  ]\Iining  Bureau.  The  quicksilver 
deposits  are  found  on  both  sides  of  the  range,  the  main  lielt  crossing  it 
near  Pine  Mountain  between  Mount  St.  Helena  and  Cobb  Mountain. 
The  eastern  section  lies  north  of  the  range,  and  the  western  section, 
south  of  it.  The  following  general  description  of  the  distrirt  is  given 
by  Forstner:^ 

"The  general  tieiid  of  the  licit  is  northwest.  In  it.s  southeastern  part,  in  Napa 
County,  it  is  in  very  close  pioxiniity  to  a  region  of  very  intense  and  probably  pro- 
longeci  eruptive  action,  covering  Tertiai-y  and  post-Tertiary  periods.  The  center  of 
eruptions  in  this  region  was  probably  in  the  territory  bounded  by  Mount  St.  Helena, 
the  Twin  Peaks  (or  Sugar  J^oaves),  and  High  Peak;  the  Hows  have,  however,  spread 
over  a  large  adjoining  territory.  Outside  of  this  are  found  a  great  many  other 
eruptive  bodies  in  this  district,  of  which  the  more  prominent  are :  The  basalt  body 
on  Oathill,  some  smaller  ones  in  the  tei-ritory  of  the  .-T^tna  Consolidated  Company, 
and  andesitic  ei-nptive  body  northeast  of  Oathill.  Pine  Mountain,  Cobb  Mountain,  and 
others.  This  district  is  hence  a  region  of  intense  eruptive  action.  Large  masses  of 
lava  h;ive  covered  parts  of  it.  and  while  pai'tly  eroded,  extensive  sheets  of  tufi  cover 
at  present  pai-ts  of  it  to  a  greater  or  less  depth,  and  make  it  ver.v  difficult  to  determine 
the  limits  of  the  cores  of  igneous  rocks.  The  present  deeply  carved  topography  of 
the  region  is  largely  governed  by  the  erosion  of  this  capping. 


'Forstner,    William.    Quicksilver    Resources    of    California:    Cal.    State    Min.    Bur. 
Bull.    27.   pp.   .'55-39,   1903. 


V  3TAJq 


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f. 


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V. 


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i 


Ik 


tj 


^ 


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V 


averages  from  $2.50  to  $3  Der  cord. 


GEOLOGICAL  MAP 

OF 

PORTIONS 


NAPA.  SONOMA  8:  LAKE  COUNTY 
QUICKSILVER  DISTRICTS. 
CALIFORNIA. 


^HBir^ifi 


V'. 


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1903. 


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J    Basalt    or  Andcsite 
I   Sarpen  t  ine. 


I      ^  Metamorphic 


Drawn    by   R.RMcLaughlin. 


■'^s&mSilS!^ 


Geology   by   Wra.    forstner,    E.    M. 


MAYACMAS    DIST] 


No. 

1 — Sunrise. 

2 — Cloverdale. 

3 — Mercury. 

A — Maiuanita. 

5 — Aibian. 

6 — Mattole. 

7 — Mount  Vernon 

8 — Philadelphia. 

9 — Waterloo. 


Name  of  Mine. 


>  Cloverdale   Mine. 


No,  Name  of  Mine, 

10 — Geyser,    Sulphur. 

11 — Black   Bear   Group. 

12— Pluton    Den. 

13— Clyde. 

14 — Culver — -Baer   Group. 

15 — Rattlesnake. 

16— Tunnel    Site,    i 

17 — Incandescent.  > 

18— Almaden.  J 


No.  Name  of  Mine. 

19— Mate. 

20 — Eureka  Nos.   I   and  2, 

21 — Captain. 

22— 

23— Cedar. 

24— Quicksilver.       (    Crow 

25 — Queen  Group. 

26 — Lookout,   i 

27 — Diamond.  \ 

28 — Mercury. 


Eureka    Con. 


vn    Point. 

Q.    Mining   Co. 


No.  Name  of  Mine. 

29 — Socrates. 

30 — Mercury, 

31 — Great   Northern, 

32— Hope.  > 

33— Hope.  \   ' 

34 — Denver. 

35-1 

36 —  >   Lucky    Stone    Group, 

37— i 

38— Hurley. 


Point   Q.    Mining   Cc. 


No. 

39— Pacific. 

40 — Hercules. 

41 — Sonoma. 

42— 

43— 

44— 

4S — Pontiac. 

46 — Pontiac. 

47 — Boston. 

48 — Empire. 


Name  of  Mine, 


Crown    Point    Quick- 
silver Mining  Co. 


No.  Name  of  Mine. 

49— Double   Star. 

50— Occidental. 

51 — Hcaldsburg. 

52— Edith. 

53 — Cinnabar  King   Group. 

54 — Eugenie.    I 

55 — Maud.         |-    Bacon    Con. 

56 — Dragon,      1 

5  7 — Napa. 


Reprinted  from  Bulletin  No.  27. 


DISTRICT. 


oup. 
I    Con. 


No.  Name  of  Mine. 

58 — St.  George.      1 

59— Golden  Gate.  -    Bacon    Con, 

60— Eagle.  ) 

61— Helen. 

62 — Young  America. 

63 — Chicago. 

64— Wall    Street. 

65 — Jewess. 

66 — Middletown. 

67 — Middletown. 


No. 

68 — Gem. 

69 — Great  Eastern. 

70— Hope. 

71 — Liverpool    Con, 

72— Eureka  Con. 

73 — Eureka  Con. 

74 — Eureka   Con. 

75 — Eureka   Con. 

76 — Eureka   Con. 

77— Eureka    Con. 


Name  of  Mine. 


No. 


Name  of  Mine. 


Great  Western. 
-Standard   Q.   Co. 


Napa    Consolidated. 


78— Eureka   Con. 
79 — Eureka  Con. 
80 — Eureka   Con. 
81 — Contention. 
82 — Minnesota. 
83 — Manzanita. 
84— Mercury. 
85— Bone. 
86— Fanny. 


>  Napa  Consolidated. 


Napa    Consolidated. 


No.  Name  of  Mine. 

87— Osceola. 

88— South   Side. 

89— Corona. 

90 — Napa  Con. 

91— 

92— Beechcr. 

93 — New  Granada. 

91 — Twin   Peak. 

95— Twin   Peak. 


No.  Name  of  Mine. 

96— Ida  Easly. 

97 — Old    Discovery. 

98— Twin    Quart*. 

99^Good  Enough. 
100 — Silver  Bow.  \ 
101 — Phoenix.  I 

102— Red    Hill.  {    .    .        - 

103-Starr.  (  A'^'"*  ^° 

104 — Pope.  I 

105 — Washington.     / 


n 


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Bull.    27,  np! 


^»'?i-^ 


.U^3flUS   OmUlM   3TAT8 


^  1     I  I  I  III  I  I  I,  V^l 

pp.    35-39,   1903. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  31 

"The  older  rocks  are  mainly  represented  by  sandstones,  sometimes  nearly  unaltered, 
sometimes  thoroughly  altered  into  schists,  with  all  intermediary  gradations.  Serpen- 
tine is  very  prominent,  mostly  a  hard,  dry  variety,  in  places  disintegrated  and  pul- 
verized by  weathering,  showing  as  large  bare  spots  along  the  ranges.  Even  where 
not  bare,  "the  serpentine  can  be  detected  at  a  distance  by  a  sparse  vegetation,  while 
on  the  balance  of  the  surface  a  very  close  growth  of  brush  or  grass  is  found.  The 
relation  of  the  serpentine  to  the  (luicksilver  deposits  is  not  clear.  Most  of  these  are 
associated  with,  or  in  close  proximity  to,  serpentine  ;  but  others,  like  those  at  Oathill 
and  Cloverdale.  are  entirely  away  from  the  serpentine  and  where  the  serpentine  is 
very  prominent  and  continuous  over  a  certain  width,  no  deposits  of  any  value  have 
lieen  found ;  as.  for  instance,  between  Oathill  and  the  Mirabel  around  the  head  of 
l^ucksnorter  Creek  ;  on  the  ridge  between  Bear  Creek  and  Dry  Creek  ;  on  the  main 
ridge  between  the  headwaters  of  Dry  Creek  and  Briggs  Creek.  Neither  are  workable 
quicksilver  deposits  found  in  the  serpentine.  "Where  serpentine  is  associated  with 
any  deposits,  tliese  are  always  contact  deposits,  while  'both  the  Oathill  and  Cloverdale 
mines  are  in  the  sandstone. 

"The  ciuicksilver  deposits  appear  from  their  association  witli  tlie  opaline  rock, 
which  is  presumably  an  alteration  product  of  serpentine  by  silicification,  to  be  related 
to  the  serpentine  to  a  certain  extent.  The  fact  that,  where  it  is  very  wide,  no  paying 
deposits  have  been  found,  would  indicate,  however,  that  either  the  sandstones  contain 
the  primary  disseminated  metal,  which  is  concentrated  through  some  process  of 
secondary  concentration,  or  else  in  the  large  bodies  of  serpentine  the  concentration 
took  place  only  in  those  parts  affected  by  contact  metamorphism.  While  this  holds 
true  only  for  the  southeastern  part  of  the  district,  it  must  be  remarked  that  in  the 
northwestern  part,  in  Dry  Creek  and  Pine  Flat  districts,  there  is  in  many  cases  an 
undoubted  relation  between  the  quicksilver  occurrence  and  igneous  actions.  In  the 
Dry  Creek  district  the  only  deposit  of  any  ascertained  consequence  is  the  Helen, 
which  lies  very  close  to  the  tuffs  of  Pine  Mountain.  There  are  undoubted  signs  of 
igneous  rocks  in  the  Pine  Flat  district  on  both  sides  of  Big  Sulphur  Creek  some  of 
these  igneous  dikes  run.  as  far  as  determined,  in  a  direction  which  would  bring  them 
near  the  ore  deposits  of  the  Eureka  mine  ;  others  were  found  near  the  Cloverdale 
mine.  For  a  great  number  of  deposits,  these  relations  are  not  yet  determined. 
Considering  the  intimate  relation  of  quicksilver  deposits  and  aqueo-igneous  actions 
and  the  general  geological  conditions  in  this  region,  it  may,  however,  be  expected 
that,  at  least,  laccolitic  relations  exist  there. 

"Between  the  Corona  and  St.  Helena  Creek,  a  distance  of  four  miles  in  an  air  line, 
along  the  headwaters  of  Bucksnorter  Creek,  the  belt  of  serpentine  is  very  wide. 
Between  St.  Helena  Creek  and  Bucksnorter  Creek  the  Standard  Quicksilver  Mining 
Company  has  in  the  last  few  years  spent  a  considerable  sum  of  money  prospecting, 
but  so  far  without  any  favorable  result. 

"To  the  west  of  the  Great  Western  mine  are  the  headwaters  of  Dry  Creek,  a  bowl- 
form  basin  nearly  encircled  by  the  main  ridge  and  by  a  ridge  dividing  Dry  Creek 
from  the  drainage  of  Putah  Creek.  Serpentine  is  very  prominent  in  a  great  por- 
tion of  the  Dry  Creek  basin,  and  again  barren  of  any  workable  deposits  of  cinnabar, 
notwithstanding  some  very  prominent,  peculiar  croppings,  standing  out  boldly  in  the 
serpentine.  These  croppings,  especially  prominent  in  the  Wall  Street  and  Jewess 
grounds,  consist  of  a  network  of  white  quartz  seams,  mostly  thin  amorph  quartz, 
with  occasional  concretions  of  botryoidal  form  ;  the  ground  mass  is  a  light  yellow- 
brown,  ochreous  mass;  this  material  is  locally  called  'dry  bone,'  and  so  far  as  yet 
observed,  never  indicates  a  workable  ore  deposit.  The  same  is  found  on  the  Bacon 
Consolidated  and  Cinnabar  King  ground  (Pine  Mountain),  and  also  in  the  Double 
Star  mine    CPine   Flat).      (Lawson's   silica-carbonate   sinter.) 

"Pine  Mountain  is  a  mass  of  andesitic  tuff,  most  probably  with  an  eruptive  core, 
of  small  dimensions  and  very  steep  sides,  and  entirely  disconnected  from  the  Mount 
St.  Helena  and  the  Mount  Cobb  groups  of  eruptives.  Its  main  ridge  is  not  over  25 
feet  wide,  and  about  300  feet  long;  elevation,  3475  feet.  The  tuff  is  of  a  light  grayish 
color,  and  has  spread  over  a  part  of  the  adjacent  ravines.  No  signs  of  basaltic  rock 
could  be  found  on  the  ridge.  The  Helen  mine  is  situated  on  the  eastern  slope,"  near 
the  edge  of  the  tuff,  and  on  the  southwestern,  western  and  northwestern  slopes  are 
located  a  series  of  mines,  comprising  the  Cinnabar  King  and  Bacon  group  of  mines. 
The  northwestern  slope  is  vei-y  steep  and  partly  covered  by  tuff,  which  covers  alter- 
nate beds  of  serpentine  and  rnetamorphosed  sandstones.  At  the  contacts  wide  belts 
of  croppings  show,  partly  in  place,  partly  covering  the  side  hill  with  large  bowlders. 
These  croppings  resemble  very  much  those  of  the  Wall  Street  and  Jewess.  In  the 
canon  continuing  below  the  old  road  from  Middletown  to  Pine  Flat  a  very  well-defined 
cropping  on  the  contact  of  serpentine  and  sandstone  is  seen.  A  great  amount  of  work 
has  been  done  here  ;  remnants  of  old  shafts  and  tunnels  are  found  everywhere  on 
the  hillsides,  but  all  work  is  now  abandoned.  Several  pockets  of  very  rich  cinnabar 
ore  were  found  at  different  points  on  the  surface,  but  none  appear  to  have  been  found 
persistent  in  depth. 

"The  headwaters  of  Putah  Creek  are  situated  in  a  basin  on  the  south  slope  of 
Mount  Cobb.  In  this  basin  are  a  great  number  of  hot  springs,  of  which  Anderson 
Springs  are  bv  far  the  most  prominent.  These  springs  generally  contain  a  great 
amount  of  .sulphur,  and  in  several  places  sulphur  deposition  and  rock  decomposition 
bv  .sulphurous  fumes  are  taking  place.  Here,  as  in  other  parts  of  the  district, 
cinnabar  deposition  does  not  occur  in  or  close  to  those  places  where  hot  waters  and 
vapors  reach  the  surface.  Thei-e  are  no  cinnabar  mines  in  this  basin — only  a  few 
prospects,  which  can  scarcely  be  said  to  give,  up  to  the  present,  much  promise  of 
turning  into  mines  ;  a  condition  partly  due  to  insuflRcient  development. 

"The  mines  around  Mount  St.  Helena  have  a  considerable  supply  of  timber  m  their 
vicinitv  although  the  .^itna,  Oathill,  Corona,  Mirabel,  and  Great  "^^estern  mines  have 
made  serious  inroads  on  the  supnlv.  The  Oathill  mine  is  the  only  one  having  a  saw- 
mill The  other  mines  must  use  roimd  timbers,  or  get  their  timbers  from  the  sawmills 
in  Lake  County  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Cobb.  In  the  Pine  Flat  district,  the  timber 
supplv  is  rather  scant.  There  is  one  sawmill  in  the  district.  Round  timbers  cost  per 
set  including  lagging,  from  $2.50  to  $2.75  ;  timbers.  7  cents  per  linear  foot;  lagging,  3 J 
cents  apiece  ;  sawed  square  sets  at  mill,  $2.15  ;  lagging,  15  at  7  cents,  $1.05  ;  cordwood 
averages  from  $2.50  to  $3  per  cord. 


32  CALIFORNIA    SI' A  TK    MINING   Bl'REAU. 

"This  district  connects  by  several  t;("nl  loads  witli  raihoads.  'I'ln'  southeastern 
and  central  parts,  by  three  roads  to  Calistosa — one  fr(jm  Oathill,  the  toll  road  from 
Middlotown,  and  the  toll  road  from  the  Great  Westei-n  mine;  distances,  from  12  to  20 
miles.  The  northwestern  part  connects  with  Calistoga  and  Healdsburs.  and  for  the 
most  extreme  northwestern  portion  also  with  Cloverdale  ;  distances,  from  16  to  20 
miles." 

The  above  priees  are  as  of  IW-i.  arul  they  are  quoted  here  because 
they  furnish  an  interesting  com])arison  with  i)resent  fijiiires  which  are 
much  higher. 

CLEAR  LAKE   DISTRICT. 

The  Clear  Lake  district  comprises  the  mines  around  the  soutliern 
lialf  of  Clear  Lake,  the  only  important  producer  of  which  has  been  the 
famous  Sulphur  Bank  mine.  This  territory  has  been  a  region  of 
intense  volcanic  activity,  a  considerable  part  of  it  having  been  at  one 
time  covered  liy  lava  flows.  There  are  several  periods  of  eruptions, 
the  ejected  lavas  being  of  different  compositions. 

=Moimt  Konocti  is  formed  by  later  andesites,  which  are  also  found  to  the  northeast 
of  the  lower  part  of  Clear  Lake ;  but  in  the  close  neighborhood  of  Sulphur  Bank  the 
eruptives  are  principally,  but  not  exclusively,  basalts.  These  latter  eruptions  must 
have  been  recent,  the  basalt  overlying  the  Quaternary  Cache  Lake  beds.  To  the 
northeast  of  the  lava  flows  in  this  district  is  a  very  extensive  belt  of  serpentine  ;  but 
the  rocks  underlying-  the  lava  flows  ai-e,  north  of  Putah  Creek,  prominently  sandstones 
and  shales."    (See  geological  map — Plate  VI.) 

The  district  finds  its  railroad  outlet,  via  IMiddletown,  through  Calis- 
toga,  from  which  Lower  Lake  is  33  miles  distant.  Nearby  sources  of 
timber  are  limited,  but  fair  supplies  of  cordwood  are  available. 

SULPHUR  CREEK  DISTRICT. 
The  Sulphur  Creek  district  lies  to  the  east  of  the  Clear  Lake  district, 
on  the  line  between  Lake  and  Colusa  counties,  and  comprising  the 
upper  part  of  Sulphur  Creek  above  Wilbur  Spring's.  This  region  has 
been  considerably  eroded,  and  the  ridge  near  the  Abbott  mine,  form- 
ing the  watershed  between  Cache  Creek  and  Bear  Creek,  is  in  places 
covered  with  gravel,  some  of  the  pebbles  being  derived  from  igneous 
rocks. 

""Two  nearl\-  parallel  l)elts  of  .serpentine  run  through  the  district  [see  map. 
Plate  VII]  with  a  nortliwest  trend.  The  western  runs  partb'  on  aV)ove-mentioned 
divide;  the  serpentine  is  very  siliceous  in  character  and  rather  oi)alini\  On  its 
eastern  contact  with  a  belt  of  rathei'  soft  sandstone  lies  a  zone  of  crushed  ojialine. 
To  the  -west  of  this  serpentine,  lietween  it  and  the  adjoining  shales,  is  a  zone  of  a 
light  gray  or  yellow  material,  containing  inclusions  (varying  in  size  from  small 
pel)l)les  to  l)owlders  of  considerable  size)  of  obsidian,  chalcedonite.  and  opalinized 
serpentine.  Tlie  matrix  of  this  breccia  is  a  tuff,  or  better,  a  tuffoid  (a  tuff  altered  by 
i-egional  metamorphism,  according  to  Miigge).  The  same  material  is  found  ni  the 
Elgin  mine. 

"The  sui-face  of  this  serpentine  has  been  leached  by  acidic  waters,  leaving  a  peculiar 
hard,  siliceous  material  of  a  light  bluish-gray  color,  full  of  cavities,  and  occurring  in 
thin  slabs.  Near  the  surface  the  sei-pentine  is  generally  not  silicified,  but  the  ledge 
matter  is  largely  a  much  crushed  opaline  i-ock,  more  frialile  and  less  hard  than  the 
opaline  in  the  tuffoid.  This  serpentine  belt  is  not  very  long  and  is  surrounded  by 
shales  and  argillaceous  sandstones.  To  tlie  east  is  a  wider  and  more  continuous 
serpentine  belt,  at  the  westein  contact  of  which  are  located  the  Wide  Awake,  Empire, 
and    Manzanita    mines. 

"The  shales  contain  bitumen,  sometimes  forming  heavy  oil,  and  sometimes  lighter 
gaseous  hydrocai-bons.  The  waters  percolating  Ihi-ough  these  formations  are  often 
charged  -witli  hydrogen  sulphide.  Occasionally  they  form  hot  springs.  A  hot 
sulphur  spring  at  Planck's  Hotel  was  cut  off  bv  the  Wide  .^wake  shaft  when  the 
latter  was  sunk  from  the  200  to  the  300  foot  level,  at  a  distance  of  1.300  feet  from 
the  spring,  and  a  depth  of  about  300  feet  b(>low  tlie  spring,  and  neviM-  reappeared, 
cold  watei'  now  issuing  from  the  same  spring.  This  proves  that  this  spring  was 
caused  by  hot  ascending  waters,  following  a  gentle  sloiie  of  aboiit  1:100  feet  iKuizontal 


^Forstner,  op.  cit.  p.   39. 
"I<'orstner,  op.  cit.  pp.  40-42. 


I 


teir/ifiK— Di?jiK 


^ 


r^^ 'iS(T;l*i^iii] 


V 


t 


GEOLOGICAL    MAP    Ol-     NAPA,    SONOMA,    LAKE,    AND    VOLO    COUNTY     QUICKSILVER     DISTRICTS. 

UNNAMED  IGNEOUS  AR£AS  ARE  EITHER  ANDB3ITE  OR  ASPERITE. 
Reprinted   front    Bulletin    No.   17. 


PLATE    VII. 


Green=:Serpentine. 

Geological    Map    of    Sulphur    Creek    District,    in   Colusa   and    Lake    Counties. 
Reprinted    from    Bulletin    No.    21. 


3&540    p.  33 


4^ — 4J»4*< — i  y:,^;jlf  nj^ 


^ 


f-7' 


'^{(!i 


s^;s;s^ 


'VJr 


m 


PLATE    VII. 


Greeni=Serpentine. 

Geological    Map   of    Sulphur    Creek    District,    in   Colusa   and   Lake    Counties. 
Reprinted    from    Bulletin    Xo.    27. 


I 


38.540    p.  ."33 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  33 

to  300  feet  vortical.  The  si'eat  amount  of  mineralized  waters,  tlie  siliceous  sinters 
and  sulphur  deposits  formed  by  extinct  solfataric  springs,  and  the  still  existing  hot 
sulphur  springs,  indicate  strong  irruptivo  action.  As  no  igneous  rocks  appear  at  the 
surface  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  this  may  have  been  laccolitic.  In  the  bed 
of  Sulphur  Creek  a  conglomerate  is  constantly  forming,  the  pebbles  in  the  creek  being 
cemented  b.v  deposits  from  the  water  which  is  charged  with  sulphur  and  sulpho-salts. 
"The  shales  and  sandstones  occur  unaltered  and  in  various  stages  of  alteration.  A 
belt  of  limestone  passes  through  the  Manzanita  property,  course  southeast,  adjoining 
to  the  west  a  belt  of  conglomerate,  a  water  formation,  similar  to  that  now  forming 
in  the  bed  of  Sulphur  Creek.  About  three  fourths  of  a  mile  fartlier  on,  in  the  same 
direction,  but  without  any  surface  connection  with  this  limestone,  is  found  a  small 
body  of  fossiliferous  limestone,  with  fossils  of  the  Cretaceous  age  (Rhynchonella 
Whitney  i)." 

Timber  is  scarce,  cordwood  (oak)  is  high^  and  the  roads  are  rather 
heavy  for  hauling'.  The  nearest  railroad  point  is  Williams,  26  miles 
to  the  east. 

KNOXVILLE  DISTRICT. 

The  Kuoxville  district  is  mainly  in  the  northeast  corner  of  Napa 
County,  and  includes  also  the  adjacent  portions  of  Lake  and  Yolo 
counties.  There  is  a  body  of  basalt  closely  associated  with  the  two 
principal  mines,  the  Knoxville  (formerly  Boston)  and  the  Manhattan. 

<"The  Manhattan  is  in  contact  therewith,  and  the  Boston  is  in  close  proximity  and 
practically  in  line  with  the  direction  of  the  main  fissure  through  which  the  basalt 
was  ejected.  This  basalt  is  the  only  eruptive  body  coming  to  the  surface  in  the 
district,  and  lies  on  the  contact  between  the  large  belt  of  serpentine  which  runs  in  a 
southeasterly  direction  from  Cache  Creek  and  the  unaltered  Neocomian  to  the  north- 
east thereof.  This  serpentine  belt,  which  reaches  into  Napa  County  and  is  several 
miles  wide,  contains,  as  far  as  yet  ascertained,  only  sporadic  signs  of  cinnabar  ore, 
and  it  is  very  doubtful  if  any  workable  deposits  will  ever  he  found  therein." 

Timber  has  to  be  hauled  from  Lower  Lake,  there  being  none  around 
Knoxville,  though  supplies  of  both  pine  and  oak  cordwood  are  obtain- 
able at  fair  prices.  The  nearest  railroad  point  is  Rumsey,  15  miles 
northeastward,  over  a  difficult  road  as  a  deep  caiion  has  to  be  crossed. 
Generally  supplies  are  hauled  from  St.  Helena  or  Winters,  via  Monti- 
cello,  each  about  35  miles  distant. 

NEW  ALMADEN   DISTRICT. 

This,  the  most  important  quicksilver  district  in  the  state  in  point  of 
total  output  to  date,  is  about  12  miles  east  of  south  from  San  Jose, 
and  includes  the  Gruadalupe  mine,  in  addition  to  the  New  Almaden 
company's  properties.  These  mines  are  in  a  ridge  just  back  of  the 
foothill  spurs  which  form  the  Avestern  boundary  of  the  Santa  Clara 
Valley  at  this  point,  this  ridge  being  a  continuation  of  the  Gabilan 
Range  from  San  Benito  County  to  the  south.  South  of  Mine  Hill,  this 
ridge  is  cut  through  by  the  sharp  caiion  of  Arroyo  de  Las  Animas: 
and.  decreasing  gradually  in  elevation  in  its  northwest  trend,  it  is  cut 
off  northwest  of  the  Guadalupe  mine  by  the  caiion  of  Los  Capitancillos 
Creek. 

Being  wholly  within  Santa  Clara  County,  the  further  description  of 
the  geology-  and  topography  of  the  New  Almaden  district  is  taken  up 
under  the  county  heading  (see  post). 


*Forstner,  op.  cit.,  p.  4  2. 
3—38540 


34  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

NEW  IDRIA  DISTRICT. 

The  New  Idria  district,  second  only  to  New  Almaden  in  point  of 
total  production  to  date,  is  situated  in  the  Diablo  Range  in  the  south- 
eastern corner  of  San  Benito  County,  a  portion  of  the  county  which, 
previous  to  1888,  was  included  in  Fresno  County.  There  are  in  reality 
two  other,  but  less  important,  districts  in  eastern  San  Benito  County ; 
but  as  all  three  are  almost  entirely  witliin  the  boundaries  of  this 
county,  their  description  is  detailed  under  the  county  heading. 

SAN  LUIS  OBISPO  DISTRICTS. 

The  Oceanic.  Adelaide,  Pine  ^Mountain,  and  San  Carpojaro  districts 
are  all  adjacent,  and  somewhat  closely  grouped  in  the  northwestern 
part  of  San  Luis  Obispo  County.  They  are  located  in  zones  along  the 
ridges  and  spurs  of  the  Santa  Lucia  Range,  and  are  separated  by  more 
or  less  barren  sections  of  country. 

'"In  the  northwestern  part  of  this  territory  near  Pine  Mountain  there  is  a  line  of 
cones  formed  of  rliyolite,  having  a  general  northwestern  direction.  Tlie  cones,  while 
close  together,  are  not  connected  at  the  surface.  Near  Pine  Mountain,  among  tlie 
debris  of  the  rliyolite  covering  tlie  slopes  of  tlie  cones,  are  found  bowlders  of  diorite, 
indicating   prior    igneous   eruptions. 

"In  the  Adelaide  and  Oceanic  districts  some  scattered  exposures  of  rhyolite  are 
found,  wliicli  have  no  apparent  relation  to  eacli  otlier  :  lience  nothing  can  be  inferred 
relative  to  the  dislocations  whicli  caused  these  eruptions.  The  serpentine  lies  prin- 
cipally on  the  west  slope  of  the  main  ridge,  wliere  it  has  caused  enormous  slides, 
due  to  its  deterioration  by  atmosplieric  influences.  Its  principal  exposure  is  at 
Cypress  Mountain,  where,  at  several  places,  its  contact  can  be  seen  witli  tlie  under- 
lying partl.v  altered  sandstones.  The  entire  appearance  of  the  serpentine  mass  tends 
to  the  supposition  that  it  is  an  altered  peridotite.  In  one  place  on  tlie  nortliwest 
slope  of  the  mountain  some  signs  of  induration  by  contact  metamorpliism  of  the 
adjoining  sandstone  can  be  found.  Tlie  Franciscan  series  are  prominently  repre- 
sented by  sandstones,  whicli  are  very  irregular  in  texture,  gi-ading  from  entirely 
unaltered  arl^ose  sandstones  into  completely  metamorphosed  sandstones,  nearly,  if 
not  entirely,  quartzite,  and  these  various  phases  are  intimately  mixed,  without  any 
traceable  system  of  gradation." 

Fxirther  data  on  these  districts  are  given  under  San  Luis  Obispo 
County.  The  railroad  point  for  the  Adelaide  district  is  Paso  Robles, 
from  16  to  20  miles  distant  to  the  east.  For  the  Oceanic  district, 
freight  is  received  by  steamers  to  San  Simeon,  13  miles  distant,  while 
mail  goes  by  stage  fi-om  San  Luis  Obispo  via  Morro  and  Canihria.  For 
the  countr}^  to  the  south  of  Cambria  and  the  Oceanic  niiiu\  the  ship- 
ping point  is  the  port  of  Cayucos.  The  Pine  ^Mountain  and  San 
Carpojaro  districts  ship  tlirough  San  Simeon. 

LOS  PRIETOS  DISTRICT. 

Los  Prietos  district  is  in  the  Santa  Ynez  Mountains.  Santa  Barbara 
County,  about  8  miles  due  noiili  ol"  Santa  Barbara.  As  the  district  is 
wholly  witliin  that  county,  it  is  further  described  under  that  heading. 

OTHER  DISTRICTS. 

As  the  other,  scattered  districts,  are  each  within  a  single  county, 
their  descriptions  are  taken  up  under  tlie  county  lieadings.  Some  of 
them  are  not  at  present  (•ommercially  producing. 

"Forstner,  op.  cit.  p.   14  9. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  35 


MINES  AND  PLANTS. 

Alphabetically  by  Counties. 


ALAMEDA  COUNTY. 

There  has  been  no  commercial  production  of  quicksilver  from  this 

county;  but  an  occurrence  described  by  Lawson^  is  worthy  of  note. 

"On  the  west  slope  of  the  Berkeley  Hills,  north  of  Berkeley,  cinna- 
bar has  been  found  in  a  silicified  rhyolite  fault  breccia  that  outcrops 
as  a  prominent  knob.  Assay  of  samples  taken  from  the  outcrop 
showed  that  the  rock  contains  0.5  per  cent  of  ciuicksilver.  On  the 
slopes  below  this,  however,  loose  fragments  of  much  richer  ore  have 
been  found.     No  attempt  has  been  made  to  prospect  the  deposit." 

Bibl. :  CxL.  State  Mix.  Bur.,  Report  XI,  p.  121.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  San 
Francisco  Folio  (No.  193).  p.  22. 


CALAVERAS    COUNTY. 

The  occurrence  of  cinnabar  has  been  noted-  in  the  Oro  y  Plata,  or 
Blue  Wing  mine,  north  of  ^Murphy,  in  a  Cjuartz  vein 

"in    limestone    close    to   tlie   contact   with   the    Calaveras    schists.      *      *     *     Cinnabar, 
stibnite,  and  galena  are  present  in  the  ore,  and  it  is  said  to  contain  copper." 


'Lawson.    A.    C,    U.    S.    Geol.    Surv.    Geol.    Atlas,    San    Francisco    Folio    (No.    193) 
p.   22.   1914. 

^Turner.   H.   W..   and   Ransome,   F.   L..   Geologic  Atlas   of  U.    S. :   U.    S.   Geol.    Surv., 
Big  Trees  Folio   (No.  51),  p.  6,   189S. 


I 

I 


36 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


COLUSA  COUNTY. 

The  difficulties  of  mining'  here  due  to  the  hot  waters  could  probably 
Sulphur  Creek  district,  the  general  geology  of  which  is  described  in  a 
preceding  section. ^  The  Abbott  mine,  also  in  this  district,  is  just  over 
the  boundary  line  in  Lake  County,  and  so  listed  under  that  county. 

The  following  table  shows  the  recorded  output  of  quicksilver  in 
Colusa  County,  from  1875,  the  earliest  available  figures. 


Quicksilver  Production  of  Colusa   County. 


Tear 

Flasks 

Value 

1875  ... 

700 
407 
466 

$58,905 
17,908 
17  382 

1876  -_. 

1877  — 

1878  .-. 

1895... 

1896  _.. 

1897  ... 

1898  — 

1 
58 
43 

40 
2,054 
1,510 

1899 

Tear 


Flasks 


1900. 
1901. 
1902. 
1903. 


275 
235 
605 
510 


12,359 
10,575 
26,100 
21,708 


1904 

1805 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1916 
1917 


*40O 
326 


Value 


$16,526 
12,231 


-  -                                       17 

&48 

21 

..     11 

900 
545 

5 

230 

25 

2,438 

Totals. 


4,105  I       $202,059 


*Flasks  of  75  pounds  since  June,  lyOi;  of  76J  pounds  previou.sly. 

Elgin  Mine.  New  Elgin  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  owner;  AY. 
S.  Norman,  president,  Spokane,  Washington,  S.  H.  Smith,  superin- 
tendent, Wilbur  Springs.  This  property,  consisting  of  one  claim,  a 
mill  site  and  160  acres  of  patented  land,  is  at  the  head  of  Sulphur 
Creek,  in  Sec.  13,  T.  14  N.,  R.  6  W.,  about  4  miles  northwest  from  Wil- 
bur Springs  postoffice.  Except  for  small  yields  in  1908,  1909,  and 
1916,  the  property  has  been  idle  for  many  years,  until  the  present 
reopening.  During  1917,  from  4  to  6  men  were  employed  on  develop- 
ment work.  One  important  difficulty  in  Avorking  this  mine  has  been 
the  hot  sulphur  water  present.  From  the  'lower'  tunnel,  which  is  500 
feet  above  the  bottom  of  the  canon,  a  stream  of  hot  salino-sulphur 
water  (see  Photo  No.  2)  flows  over  40,000  gallons  per  24  hours.  Its 
temperature  is  138°  P.,  and  the  odors  of  both  snl!)lmretted  hydrogen 
and  ammonia  are  noticeable.  It  is  strongly  saline  and  is  said  to  carry 
about  2000  grains  of  mineral  matter  per  gallon.  Tliere  is  a  consider- 
able deposit  of  flour  sulphur  along  the  edges  of  the  stream,  as  shown 
by  the  photograph.  Higher  up  near  the  top  of  the  ridge  there  is 
another  similar  spring,  temperature  152''  F..  wliich  also  has  a  strong 
flow. 

The  difficulties  of  uiiuiug  here  due  to  the  hot  waters  could  probably 
be  minimized   (if  not  entirely  obviated)    by  driving  a  drainage  adit 


'See  D.  32.  ante. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


37 


from  the  creek  level,  as  the  present  'lower'  tunnel  is  500  feet  above  the 
retorts,  as  already  noted.  It  is  stated  that  such  is  the  present  inten- 
tion. The  ledge  matter  is  a  black  to  white  opaline  rock  (the  black 
resembling  obsidian)  in  an  altered  tufP,  with  cinnabar  and  an  abund- 
ance of  native  snlphnr  crystals.  In  fact,  so  highly  impregnated  are 
parts  of  the  formation  here  with  sulphur  (resembling  the  famous  Sul- 


Photo   No.   2.      Hot  salino-sulphur  water  flowing  from  tunnel  of  Elgin  mine, 
at   head   of   Sulphur   Creek,    Colusa   County. 


phur  Bank  mine  in  Lake  County),  that  in  the  early  history  of  the 
Elgin  attempts  were  made  to  produce  sulphur  commercially  by  dis- 
tillation. The  mine  is  equipped  with  a  Fitzgerald  retort  furnace,  and 
a  partly  dismantled  mill  containing  a  Jfo  Dodge  crusher,  8  Colorado 
bumping  tables,  and  one  Wilfley  table.     Concentration  was  tried  dur- 


38  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

ing  the  operations  of  1908-1909.     I\rati\-  of  the  old  dumps  are  said  to 
show  assays  of  0.3%-0.4%  mercury. 

liibliography :  Cai..  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  VI,  Pt.  1,  p.  136; 
XI,  p.  182;  XII,  p.  359;  XIII,  p.  594;  XIY,  pp.  182-184,  188, 
189,  196;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  pp.  10-12,  16, 
17,  24;  Bull.  27.  p.  43.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  :\rin.  Res.  1907,  Pt.  I,  p. 
679;  1908,  Pt.  I,  p.  685;  1909,  Pt.  I,  p.  552.  Mix.  Res.  W.  of 
Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14;  1876,  p.  20. 

Empire-Central  Groups.  Empire  Consolidated  Quicksilver  Alining 
Company,  Mrs.  Emma  B.  Boggess  et  al.,  Wilbur  Springs,  owners. 
These  two  groups  of  claims  are  in  Sec.  28,  T.  14  N.,  R.  5  W.,  near  Wil- 
bur Springs,  and  were  at  one  time,  some  years  ago,  operated  in  con- 
junction with  the  Abbott  mine.  It  was  reported  under  option  in  1917, 
with  a  prospect  of  work  being  resumed. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.  Reports  XI,  p.  186 ;  XIII.  p.  594 ; 
XIV,  p.  189;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  17;  Bull. 
27,  p.  43. 

Manzanita  Mine.  Cerise  Gold  Mining  Company,  OAvner;  J.  E. 
Simpson,  president,  Orland;  Chas.  L.  Austin,  superintendent,  Wilbur 
Springs.  This  mine,  for  some  years  past  owned  as  a  part  of  the 
adjacent  hot  springs  resort  property,  was  taken  over  early  in  1917,  by 
the  present  owners  jointly  with  the  neighboring  old  Cherry  gold  mine. 
A  mill  was  built  to  treat  the  gold  ore  by  amalgamation  and  concentra- 
tion, to  be  followed  by  the  addition  of  equipment  for  recovery  of  cinna- 
bar and  its  reduction.  Shortly  after  completion  this  plant  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  September  3,  1917 ;  but  is  reported  to  have  since  been 
rebuilt.  At  present  writing,  it  is  idle  on  account  of  litigation.  jWater 
for  the  mill  is  pumped  8000  feet  from  Bear  Creek.  IMining  will  be  by 
open-cuts.  Power  is  obtained  by  two  50-h.p.  Diesel-type  crude-oil 
engines  for  the  mill,  and  a  12-h.p.  engine  for  the  pump.  A  6'xl6' 
Hardinge  mill,  and  4  Senn  pan-motion  amalgamators  were  installed. 

By  reason  of  the  Manzanita 's  ore  carrying  an  important  percentage 
of  gold  as  well  as  cinnabar,  in  its  earlier  history  the  mine  was  worked 
for  its  gold  content.  While  gold  has  been  found  at  other  places  asso- 
ciated with  mercury  in  small  quantities  (usually  little  more  than  a 
trace),  the  Manzanita  mine  is  the  one  notable  quicksilvei-  mine  of  the 
world  where  there  has  been  a  sufficient  percentage  of  gold  to  work  the 
ore  at  times  for  that  metal  alone.  The  major  portion  of  Colusa 
County's  gold  output^  to  date  has  come  from  IMaiizanita.  The  first 
recorded  mention  of  this  gold  occurrence  was  by  Whitney-  in  1865. 
who  tells  of  being  shown  specimens  of  rounded  and  water-woi-n  ninss(>s 


'Spp  Cal.   State  Min.   Bur..   Roroit   XIV,  p.    ITfi.   1915. 

-Wliitney,  J.   D.,  Goolosy  of  CaUforiiia  :  Geol.   Surv.  of  Cal.,  vol.   I.  p.   92,   1S65. 


QUICKSILVER   ItESOURCES.  39 

of  pure  riniiahai-,  with  specks  of  native  gold  enclosed  in  them,  and  that 
"considerablt>  quantities  of  this  remarkable  combination  of  ore  and 
metal  are  said  to  have  been  washed  out  from  the  bed  of  a  creek  in  the 
canon  at  that  place."  The  rocks  are  metamorphosed  beds  of  the  Knox- 
ville"  series,  consisting  of  thin-bedded,  highly  altered,  and  contorted, 
shaly  sandstones,  a  part  of  them  somewhat  serpentinized.  The  waters 
of  the  liot  springs  nearby  are  highly  charged  with  sulphuretted 
hydrogen,  sodium  chloride,  and  also  contain  ammonia  and  borax. 

The  total  quicksilver  production  of  the  mine  approximates  2,000 
flasks,  the  most  of  which  was  obtained  by  means  of  concentration  dur- 
ing the  eight  years  up  to  1912.  This  plant  is  described  in  the  section 
of  the  present  bulletin  under  metallurgy.*  The  mine  has  been  idle 
since,  and  the  workings  largely  inaccessible.  Relative  to  the  geological 
evidence  then  visible  underground,  Forstner^  in  1903  wrote : 

"In  the  mine  near  the  shaft  a  whitish  friable  material  (leached  sandstone)  carries 
sensible  amounts  of  cinnabar.  The  ledge  is  very  winding  in  both  strike  and  dip  ;  the 
accompanying  gouge  is  also  very  irregxilar.  The  hanging-wall  shale  is  in  places 
altered  to  a  whitish  material  very  similar  to  that  above  mentioned.  The  ledge 
material,  especially  in  the  lower  150-foot  level,  is  principally  chalcedonite.  In  places 
conglomerate  is  found  on  the  foot  wall  of  the  ledge,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  the  real 
foot  wall  has  been  reached.  This  deposit  shows  plainly  that  it  is  the  result  of 
deposition  out  of  solfataric  waters,  as  well  in  the  ore  body  as  by  their  action  on  the 
adjacent  rocks.  To  the  west  of  the  deposit  lies  a  belt  of  limestone,  adjoining  at  the 
west  to  a  belt  of  conglomerate." 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  V.,  p.  96 ;  VI,  Pt.  I,  p.  33 ; 
VIII,  pp.  157,  159;  X,  pp.  159,  161;  XI,  p.  184;  XII,  pp.  100, 
359 ;  XIII,  pp.  126,  594 ;  XIV,  pp.  189-191 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien. 
period,  1913-1914,  pp.  17-18 ;  Bull.  27,  pp.  44,  198,  202.  Geol. 
SuRV.  OF  Cal.,  Geol.,  Vol.  I,  p.  92;  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p. 
367;  Min.  Res.  1892,  p.  147;  1902,  p.  252;  1907,  Pt.  I,  p.  679; 
1908,  Pt.  I,  p.  685 ;  1909,  Pt.  I,  p.  552 ;  1911,  Pt.  I,  p.  901.  Eng. 
&  Mining  Jour.,  Vol.  96,  p.  783.  Mm.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  115, 
Oct.  13,  1917,  p.  24  adv. 

Wide  Awake  Consolidated  Group  (Buckeye),  This  mine,  orig- 
inally known  as  the  Buckeye,  is  owned  by  G.  A.  Martin,  Shreve  Build- 
ing, San  Francisco.  It  is  about  a  mile  from  Wilbur  Springs,  and 
south  of  the  creek,  in  Sec.  29,  T.  14  N.,  R.  5  W.,  26  miles  southwest 
from  Williams.  It  is  on  the  opposite  (east)  side  of  the  ridge  from  the 
Abbott  mine.  The  property  has  been  idle  since  1901,  and  the  shaft 
(500  feet  deep)  is  now  filled  with  water. 

This  mine  first  appeared  in  the  producing  list  in  1875.  After  hav- 
ing been  closed  for  a  number  of  years,  it  was  reopened  in  1896  and 
yielded  a  small  output  for  a  time.  The  ore,  carrying  cinnabar,  was 
found  at  and  near  the  contact  between  serpentine  and  shale,  strike 
northwest,    dip   southwest   about    60°.     It    is   .stated   that   this   contact 


'Becker,  G.  F..  Gcolsgy  of  the  (luicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  U.  S.  Geol. 
Surv.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.   .367,  1888. 

^See  p.  3.30,  iiost. 

=Forstner,  William,  Quicksilver  Resources  of  California:  Cal.  Ftate  Min.  Bur.,  Bull. 
27,  p.  45.  1903. 


40  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MIXING   BIREAU. 

has  been  traced  for  about  a  mile  in  the  company's  ground,  though  the 
croppings  are  more  prominent  near  the  phmt.  It  was  worked  by  both 
tunnels  and  shaft,  the  latter  being  sunk  in  the  shale.  The  vein  mat- 
ter Avas  found  up  to  five  feet  wide,  mostly  soft,  with  the  shale  hanging- 
Avall  well  defined,  while  the  values  were  slightly  disseminated  into  the 
serpentine  footwall.  The  reduction  equipment  includes  a  24:-ton  Scott 
fine-ore  furnace. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XI,  p.  187;  R.  XIII,  p. 
594 ;  XIV,  p.  190 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  18 ; 
Bull.  27,  p.  45.  Geol.  Surv.  op  Cal.,  Geol.  Vol.  II,  p.  124. 
Min.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14;  1876,  p.  20.  U.  S. 
G.  S.  Mon.  XIII,  p.  368 ;  Min.  Res.  1908,  Ft.  I,  p.  685. 

Wilbur  Hill  Mine.  Wilbur  Springs  Company,  owner,  Wilbur 
Springs,  postoffice.  It  is  on  Sulphur  Creek  between  Wilbur  Springs 
and  the  Manzanita  mine,  being  in  Sec.  28,  T.  14  N.,  R.  5  W.,  25  miles 
southwest  from  Williams.  A  small  output  of  quicksilver  was  made  in 
1916,  with  a  concentrator  and  retort ;  but  only  development  work  has 
been  done  since. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  41 

CONTRA  COSTA  COUNTY. 

-J 

Quicksilver  was  at  one  time  mined  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  north 
peak  of  Mt.  Diablo,  in  Sec.  29,  T.  1  N.,  R.  1  E.,  associated  with  serpen- 
tine and  black  opal.  There  are  sulphur  springs,  nearby.  During  the 
late  seventies  the  Ryne  mine  is  said  to  have  produced  as  high  as  85 
flasks  per  month,  for  a  time.  The  occurrences  are  limited  in  extent, 
and  there  has  been  no  work  done  for  a  number  of  years. 

Bibl:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  VIII,  p.  162;  Bull.  27,  p. 
195.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.     XIII,  p.  378. 

DEL  NORTE  COUNTY. 

Diamond  Creek  Cinnabar  Co.  J.  W.  Ehrman,  I.  L.  Cole,  and  J.  L. 
Taggart,  Monumental,  Calif.,  owners.  This  group  consists  of  three 
unpatented  claims  located  on  the  headwaters  of  Diamond  Creek,  four 
miles  south  of  the  California-Oregon  Line  and  eighteen  miles  from 
Monumental,  all  but  three  miles  being  by  road.  The  presence  of  cinna- 
bar here  is  said  to  have  been  known  to  the  early  placer  miners,  who 
resorted  to  it  in  the  '50 's  for  their  quicksilver  suppl}'.  The  group  was 
relocated  in  1916.  The  ore  occurs  in  quartz  between  serpentine  walls, 
and  makes  in  rich  bunches,  with  a  general  N-S  trend.  The  owners 
have  traced  the  outcrop  400  yards  and  have  an  orebody  eight  feet 
wide.  So  far,  they  have  been  able  to  do  only  a  little  hand  mining  near 
the  surface,  two  of  the  owners  working.  During  the  past  summer  they 
installed  a  three-pipe  Johnson-McKay  retort,  having  a  capacity  of  500 
pounds  of  ore.  The  charge  is  retorted  for  six  hours  so  that  the  daily 
capacity  is  one  ton.  The  first  ton  of  ore  treated  is  rej^orted  to  have 
yielded  nearly  one-half  flask  of  mercury.  The  average  of  the  ore  is 
stated  to  carry  l%-2%  mercury. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XI,  p.  198 ;  XIV,  p.  390 ; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  20;  Bull.  27,  p.  195. 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  366.  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  29, 
Aug.  15,  1874. 


42  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

EL    DORADO    COUNTY. 

Bernard  Cinnabar  Mine  (originally  called  the  Amador).  Bernard 
Cinnabar  ^Mining  Company,  ovvnei- :  Leon  C.  Osteyee,  secretary,  127 
Montgomery  Street,  San  Francisco;  John  C.  Jens,  Belmont,  lessee.  It 
is  on  Fanny  Creek,  in  Sec.  4,  T.  8  N.,  K.  10  E.,  ^I.  D.  M.,  2  miles  west 
of  Nashville  and  about  8  miles  from  Shingle  Springs  on  the  Sacra- 
mento and  Placerville  Railroad.  There  is  a  good  wagon  road  from 
Shingle  Springs  to  the  mine.  The  deposit  is  a  bedded  vein  in  slates 
and  quartzitic  rocks  ;^  and  the  cinnabar,  accompanied  by  pyrite,  occu- 
pies interstitial  spaces.  There  is  a  belt  of  serpentine  about  1/4  mile 
to  the  west.  The  mine  was  first  opened  up  in  the  60 's  and  some  quick- 
silver produced ;  then  reopened  in  1903,  when  only  development  work 
was  done.  It  has  been  idle  since.  The  mineral  zone  is  stated  to  show 
a  width  of  20'-50'  along  the  surface,  and  in  the  open  cuts.  There  is 
a  vertical  shaft,  75  feet  deep,  connecting  with  the  lower  adit  which  is 
in  117  feet.  Near  that  point  some  stoping  has  been  done.  The  pres- 
ent lessee  is  preparing  to  reopen  the  mine,  this  coming  spring. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XII,  p.  359;  XV,  p.  306; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  36;  Bull.  27,  p.  190. 
U.  S.  G.  S.  Mon.  XIII,  p.  384;  Placerville  Folio  (No.  3),  p.  3. 
Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Auriferous  Gravels,  p.  367.  Min.  &  Scl 
Press,  vol.  31,  p.  718,  1875. 


'Beckftr,  G.  F.,  Geolog-\-  of  the  riuicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope  :  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Mon.  XIII,  p.  384,  1888. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


43 


V  FRESNO  COUNTY. 

In  the  various  earlier  reports  and  papers,  it  is  to  be  noted  that  the 
mines  of  the  New  Idria  district  were  described  as  being  in  Fresno 
County :  but  in  1888.  the  county  boundary  was  changed,  so  that  New 
Idria  is  now  in  San  Benito  County.  The  quicksilver  localities 
within  the  present  boundaries  of  Fresno  County  are  along  its  western 
edge,  in  the  eastern  foothills  of  the  Diablo  Range. 

Recorded  quicksilver  production  of  Fresno  County  (for  New  Idria 
district,  see  under  San  Benito  County),  is  shown  in  the  following  tabu- 
lation. As  the  figures  of  earlier  years  were  small  and  scattering,  they 
were  included  under  the  designation  of  "Various  Mines"  in  published 
tables. 

Quicksilver    Production    of    Fresno    County. 


Tear 

1 

1       Flasks 

Value 

Tear 

Flasks 

Value 

1912  — 
1913 

336 

375 
148 

$14,125 

15,086 

7,259 

1916- 

1917 



*10 

* 

*$875 

1914  __. 

1915  — 

Totals 

869 

$37,345 

♦Figures  for  1916  and  1917  combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  producer. 

Archer  Mine.  Joseph  Byles  &  Sons,  Coalinga,  owners;  Ben  J. 
Byles,  manager.  This  group  of  six  claims  located  in  1904.  is  in  Sees. 
2  and  3.  T.  18  S.,  R  13  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  28  miles  northwest  of  Coalinga, 
and  near  the  ^Mexican  mine.  Up  to  1916,  a  small  amount  of  quick- 
silver was  produced,  using  a  retort  consisting  of  six  9-incli  pipes.  A 
Johnson-]\IcKay  retort  has  since  been  built;  and  selected  ore  is 
treated :  but  it  is  stated  that  there  is  considerable  low-grade  material 
in  sight.  The  ore  carries  cinnabar  and  pyrite.  the  country  rocks 
being  serpentine  and  slate.  There  are  five  tunnels  ranging  up  to  200 
feet  in  length,  and  several  open  cuts. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV.  p.  462 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  36. 

Mexican  Mine.  Antonio  Urrutia  et  al.,  Panoche,  owners.  This 
group  of  three  claims  in  Sec.  22,  T.  18  S.,  R.  13  E..  northwest  of 
Coalinga.  and  nine  miles  southeast  of  New  Idria.  was  originally 
located  in  the  sixties.  Development  work  consists  of  several  adits  and 
some  surface  cuts.  The  vein  is  in  sandstone  of  the  Franciscan  series 
close  to  its  contact  ^vith  the  overlying  Panoche  formation,  and  carries 
cinnabar  associated  with  silica  and  oxides  of  iron,  the  oxidation  pro- 


44 


CALIFORNIA   STATK    MINING  BUREAU. 


duct  of  iron  .sulphides.     Only  assessiuciit  work  has  been  done  of  recent 
years. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  462 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  36;  Bull.  27,  pp.  119,  120.  U.  S. 
G.  S.,  Bull.  603.  p.  207. 

New  Mercy  Mining-  and  Development  Co.  ( formerly  [Mercey  Min- 
ing- &  Development  Co.;  also  Pacific  Quicksilver  Co.;  includes  prop- 
erties and  claims  formerly  known  under  names  of  Providential.  Aram- 
bide  and  Aurecoechea,  ]Mercy,  Croxon).  A.  R.  Warthen  et  al..  owners; 
J.  Norrish,  manager,  Los  Bafios,  c/o  Mercey  Hot  Springs  stage.  This 
group  includes  eighteen  claims  and  five  mill  sites  on  a  branch  of  Little 


Photo   No.   3.      Furnace  at  New  Mercy  (Pacific)   Quicksilver  Mine,   Fresno  County. 

Panoche  Creek,  in  Sees.  32  and  33,  T.  13  S.,  R.  10  E..  and  Sec.  5, 
T.  14  S.,  R.  10  E.,  25  miles  southwest  of  South  Dos  Palos  on  the  South- 
ern Paeifie  Railroad,  and  29.1  miles  fi-om  Los  Baiios.  Elevation  1600 
to  2000  feet  (U.  S.  G.  S).  Tlie  first  work  is  said  to  have  been  done 
here  about  1860.  The  Pacific  Quicksilver  Company  operated  the 
property  from  1911  to  the  end  of  1914;  since  which  time  it  has  been 
idle  until  late  in  1917.  The  country  rock  is  principally  a  metamorphic 
sandstone,  and  the  ore  occurs  in  a  series  of  leached  zones  witli  quartz 
and  ochre.     Relatively  little  cinnabar  can  be  seen  except  i>n  panning, 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


45 


■when  the  odireous  material  is  observed  to  yield  a  good  percentage  of 
■concentrate.     There  is  a  little  pyrite  with  the  cinnabar. 

Formerly  the  principal  work  was  done  on  the  Providential  and 
Gabilan  claims,  but  in  September,  1914,  the  ore  supply  was  being 
drawn  from  tlie  Arambide  from  a  new  shoot  uncovered  in  the  preced- 
ing spring.  Here  the  values  occur  in  a  series  of  small  veins  and 
stringers  over  a  width  of  24  feet,  striking  east  of  south  and  dipping 
about  60^'  E.  On  this  claim  there  is  a  100-foot  shaft  and  400  feet  of 
adits;  and  on  the  Aurecoechea  3000  feet  of  work,  including  a  150-foot 
shaft. 


Photo   No.   4.      Drawing    off    burned    ore,    New    Mercy    (Pacific)    Quicksilver    Mine, 

Fresno    County. 


The  reduction  equipment  includes  a  24-ton  Scott  fine-ore  furnace 
(see  Photo  No.  3),  and  two  'D'  retorts  with  a  capacity  of  300  pounds 
each.  They  are  oil  fired.  In  1914,  crude  oil  cost  88  cents  to  $1.10  per 
barrel  delivered  at  South  Dos  Palos,  plus  $1.17  per  barrel  freight  to 
the  mine.  The  furnace  is  4  tiles  long,  50  tiles  high,  with  a  4-inch  spac- 
ing. The  condensers  consist  of  14  brick  chambers  and  6  Knox- 
Osborne  cast-iron  chambers,  the  latter  being  connected  in  between  No. 
2  and  No.  3  of  the  brick  series  (see  Photo  No.  58,  post).  From  the 
mine  the  ore  was  hauled  about  ]  mile  in  a  bottom-dump  wagon  onto 
an  ore  bin,  from  whii-li  it  was  trammed  to  the  jaw  crusher  (run  bv  a 


46  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

small  steam  enofine),  then  trammed  to  tlie  furnace.  The  burned  ore 
was  drawn  off  into  a  side-tipping  steel  ear  (see  Photo  No.  4).  and 
trannned  to  the  dump. 

Bibl.:  r.\i..  State  :\Iin.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  pp.  462-464;  Chapter 
rep.  bicn.  period,  1913-1914.  pp.  36-48;  Bull.  No.  27,  pp.  119, 
121.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  :\ron.  XIII.  p.  380;  Min.  Res.,  1912,  Pt.  I, 
p.  939 ;  1913,  Pt.  I,  p.  204 ;  P>ull.  603,  p.  207. 

GLENN   COUNTY. 

Cinnabar  has  been  reported  on  the  J.  ]M.  N\ye  ranch,  southwest  of 
Fruto,  and  on  the  Turner  ranch  Avest  of  Elk  Creek  postoifiee.  Not 
developed. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XII,  p.  360;  XIV.  p.  199; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  27. 

HUMBOLDT  COUNTY. 

E.  F.  Wilder,  Orleans,  has  locations  made  about  1915,  in  IMill  Creek 
district,  near  Orleans  Bar  on  a  vein  carrying  cinnabar;  but  so  far  onl\' 
a  small  amount  of  development  work  lias  l)een  done. 

INYO  COUNTY. 

Small  amounts  of  both  cinnabar  and  metacinnabarite  have  been 
noted  in  the  Cerro  Gordo  mine,^  near  Keeler,  but  apparently'  not  in 
commercial  quantities. 

A  vein  in  limestone  containing  cinnabar  and  metacinnabarite  has 
been  noted-  on  one  of  the  claims  of  the  Chloride  Cliff  mine  in  the 
Funeral  Mountains  west  of  Rhyolite,  Nevada.  An  80-foi)t  tunnel  lia.s 
been  driven  on  the  vein,  exposing  some  fair  ore ;  but  no  quicksilver  has 
been  produced.  Owned  by  J.  I.  Crow(^ll.  Donald  Findley,  and  Cha.s. 
Parsons,  of  Rhyolite,  Nev. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  67,  pp.  32,  34 ;  Mines  &  Min. 
Res.  of  Alpine,  Inyo  &  Mono  counties,  p.  117  (also  Report  XV, 
p.  121,  in  press).     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bull.  61. 


'Melville,  W.  H.  &  Lindfircn,  W.,  Contributions  to  the  mineralogy  of  the  Pacific 
Coast:  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Bull.  61,  1S90. 

-Waring,  C.  A.,  &  HuKnenin,  P^mile,  Mines  &  Min.  Res.  of  Tnvo  Coiinl\-  :  Cal.  State 
Min.   Bur.,  Biennial  report   1915-1916,   p.   117,   1917.      Also  in  Report  XV,  p.    121,   1918. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


47 


KERN  COUNTY. 

Quicksilver  production  in  Kcin  County  began  in  1916,  following 
the  discovery  of  cinnabar  in  workable  quantities  close  to  the  famous 
Tehachapi  Loop  of  the  Southern  Pacific  railroad,  near  the  town  of  the 
same  name.  Slightly  over  300  flasks  have  been  produced  to  the  end  of 
1!)17.  with  two  mines  in  operation,  the  major  portion  of  the  output 
coming  from  the  Cnddeback. 

Cuddeback  Cinnabar  Mine.  J.  P.  Cuddeback,  Tehachapi,  owner; 
Cuddebaek  Cinnabar  Company,  lessee,  Tehachapi;  A.  J.  Blackley, 
president.  The  mine  is  on  land  owned  under  an  agricultural  patent, 
being  in  Sec.  27,  T.  31  S.,  R.  32  E..  ]M.  D.  M..  3  mi.  from  Woodford 


Photo   No.   5.      Cuddeback   Cinnabar   Mine,   near  Tehachapi,   Kern   County. 

(Keene,  post  office)  station  on  the  Southern  Pacific,  and  a  half  mile 
by  road  from  the  main  county  highway  at  the  Loop.  The  country 
rock  for  several  miles  around  is  granite,  and  the  white  rhyolite  dike 
traversing  the  granite  witli  a  nearly  E.-W.  strike  is  plainly  visible 
from  the  passing  trams  (see  Photo  No.  5. — the  dike  crosses  the  hill 
from  left  to  right,  just  above  the  dumps),  though  the  outcrop  is  not  a 
bold  one.  The  dip  is  N.,  about  45° ;  and  the  width  is  at  least  60  feet 
where  most  of  the  work  lias  been  done.  Tlio  dike  rock  is  a  somewhat 
poi'ous.  finely  gi'ainilar.  p()ri)hyi'i1  ic  rhyolite,  showing  quartz  and  ortho- 


48 


CALIFORNIA    STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


clase  phenucrysts  under  the  niieruseupe  (see  Photo  No.  6).  Cinnabar 
crystals  are  disseminated  through  the  ground-mass,  in  some  places  to 
such  an  extent  as  to  give  the  whole  rock  a  pink  color,  macroscopically. 
Portions  of  the  rock  whicli  are  white,  and  to  the  unaided  eye  appar- 
ently barren,  show  finely  disseminated  cinnabar  under  the  glass. 
From  this,  the  writer  presumes  that  a  considerable  portion  of  the  dike 
would  pay  to  mine  and  reduce  with  a  lar^o  furnace  equipment  which 
could  economically  treat  a  large  tonnage  of  low-grade  ore.  Of  course, 
this  can  be  definitely  determined  only  by  a  careful  sampling  across  the 
full  width  of  the  dike. 


Photo  No.  6.  Micro-photograph  of  porphyritic  rhyolite  carrying 
cinnabar,  from  Cuddeback  Mine.  The  black  specks  are 
cinnabar.      >  60  diam.  magnification.     Photo  by  S.  A.  Tibbetts. 

The  richer  accumulations  of  ore  appear  to  be  associated  witli  cer- 
tain cross-fi.ssures  in  the  dike  whicli  are  marked  by  the  presence  of 
brown  clay  seams.  The  mineralizing  solutions  apparently  came  up 
through  these  fissures,  spread  out  into  and  impregnated  the  somewhat 
porous  rhyolite,  similarly  to  the  impregnated  sandstone  ores  as  at  Oat 
Hill,  Napa  County.  So  far  as  observed,  the  rhyolite  is  but  little 
altered,  and  the  adjacent  granite  is  fairly  fresh.  At  this  point,  tlie 
mineralized  portion  of  the  dike  is  \  mile  long;  and  though  the  dike 
itself  is  traceal)I('  beyond,  it  seems  not  to  show  enough  cinnabar  to  be 
workable  beyond.  The  development  work  eousists  of  several  short 
adits,  crosscuts,  drifl.s,  small  stopes,  and  open  cuts;  and  when  visited 
in  September.  101 7.  a  depth  of  a])out  50  feet  below  tlie  outcrop  had 
been  altainci!   in  a  di'ift  and  sti^pc  aroniid  th(^  point  of  the  liill  to  t1ie 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  49 

right  of  the  photograph  (No.  5).  Reduction  equipment  consists  of  a 
12-pipe  Johnson-]\rcKay  retort,  oil-fired.  Thoi-e  were  also  a  6  h.  p.  ga.<i 
engine,  and  a  small  jaw  crusher. 

Bibl.:  :\rix.  &  Sci.  Press.  Vol.  114,  p.  79.  Jan.  20.  1917. 

Fickert-Durnal  Mine.  J.  P.  Cuddeback,  Tehachapi,  owner;  Phillip 
Fiekert,  Bakerslield,  and  J.  A.  Durnal,  Tehachapi,  lessees.  This  pros- 
pect, like  the  above-described,  is  also  on  the  Cuddeback  ranch  property, 
being  a  mile  southeast,  in  SW.  ^  of  SW.  i  of  Sec.  26,  T.  31  S.,  R.  32 
E.,  M.  D.  ]\I.,  4  miles  from  Woodford  and  about  7  miles  from 
Tehachapi.  It  is  only  a  half-mile  off  the  main  county  highway.  The 
ore  occurs  in  an  altered  igneous  dike  rock,  traversing  the  granite  with 
a  NW.-SE.  strike  and  a  dip  NE.  There  is  a  brecciated  zone  at  least 
18  feet  wide,  and  the  rock  is  so  much  altered  that  it  is  difficult  to  deter- 
mine its  original  character ;  though  some  less  altered  portions  resemble 
a  felsite.  The  cinnabar  is  in  part  disseminated  and  in  part  in  seams 
in  the  altered  dike  material.  There  is  a  little  associated  pyrite.  The 
granite,  particularly  on  the  footwall,  is  considerably  disintegrated. 
Developments  consisted  mainly  of  3  short  adit  drifts,  and  a  25-foot 
shaft  near  the  bed  of  the  ravine  which  had  become  filled  with  water. 
A  6-pipe  Johnson-McKay  retort  had  just  been  completed  and  was 
being  fired-up  (September  20,  1917),  oil  being  used  for  fuel. 

Tardy  Claims.  Jack  Tardy  is  stated  to  have  located  in  January, 
1917,  a  group  of  claims  20  miles  from  Mojave,  2^  miles  west  of  Cinco 
and  I  mile  above  the  Los  Angeles  Aqueduct.  Cinnabar  is  reported  to 
occur  in  an  igneous  dike  in  granite,  resembling  the  Cuddeback  occur- 
rence.    Undeveloped. 


4—38540 


50 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


KINGS  COUNTY. 

The  quicksilver  disti'ict  of  Kiiig.s  County  is  at  its  extreme  western 
end  in  the  corner  formed  between  Fresno  and  ^lonterey  counties.  It 
is  on'  the  eastern  edge  of  Table  Mountain  which  extends  northwesterly 
through  that  part  of  Monterey  and  forms  a  portion  of  the  boundary 
with  Kings.  Table  ^Mountain  is  principally  of  serpentine.  Parktield. 
Monterey  County,  is  the  nearest  town,  14  miles  distant ;  which,  in  turn, 
is  27  miles  from  the  railroad  at  San  Miguel  on  the  west. 

The  recorded  production  of  quicksilver  in  Kings  County  is  shown 
by  the  following  tabulation : 

Quicksilver   Production   of   Kings   County. 


Year 

Flasks 

Value 

Year 

Flasks 

Value 

1905 --       

250 

$9,000 

1913 

1914  -.      _        .. 

1906 

1907 



ioo' 

4^525 

1915 --     .      -. 

* 

*480 

* 

1908 

1909 

1916 

1917 

*$43,580 

1910 

1911         -    -    

Totals 

8.30 

$57,105 

1912   

^Figures  foi"   1915  and   1916  combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  mine. 


Dawson  Pit.  II.  Dawson,  Lemoore,  owner.  This  is  a  quicksilver 
prospect  on  patented  land  in  the  NW.^,  Sec.  28,  T.  23  S..  R.  16  E., 
near  the  Kings  company  ground.  Only  a  small  amount  of  develop- 
ment work  has  been  done. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  528;  Bull.  No.  27, 
p.  122;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  peried,  1913-1914,  p.  102. 

Fair  View  Group.  G.  H.  French  and  J.  A.  Greenlaw,  Parktield, 
owners.     In  the  S\V.  ]-,  Sec.  28,  T.  23  S.,  R.  16  E.     Assessments  only. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  ]\Iin.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  529;  Chai>ter  rep. 
l)ieii.  period.  1913-1914.  p.  103;  Bull.  No.  27.  p.  122. 

Francis  Claims  (see  Kings  Quicksilver  Mining  Company). 

Kings  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  Ltd.  Win.  Gray,  president; 
W.  P.  Darsh,  secretary;  office,  520  King  street,  London.  Ontario.  Can- 
ada. A.  A.  Lewis,  superintendent,  Parkfield.  This  |)i'operty  includes 
the  Segregation  and  Summit  claims  owned  by  C.  F.  Francis  of  Park- 
field,  under  bond,  besides  a  number  of  claims  located  by  members  of 
the  company  on  adjoining  ground.  The  group  is  principally  in  Sec. 
20,  T.  23  S.,  R.  16  E.,  14  miles  by  road  east  of  l^irkfield  and  40  miles 
north  of  east  from  San  Miguel  on  the  Coast  Division  of  the  Southern 
Pacific   Railroad.     Elevation   3100   feet    (bar.)    at    the   lower   tunnel. 


\ 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


51 


The  country  rocks  are  serpentine,  shale  and  metamorphic  sandstone. 
The  ore  values  occur  in  a  crushed  zone,  in  part  as  stockworks,  earryinji' 
cinnabar  and  native  mercury  with  some  calcite.  In  the  upper  level 
this  zone  shows  about  35  feet  wide,  with  strike  southeast  and  dip  45° 
to  50°  SW.,  and  in  September,  lPl-4,  had  been  drifted  on  for  70  feet. 
The  upper  adit  was  in  700  feet  (part  crosscut  and  part  drift),  with 
two  raises  to  the  surface  and  one  winze  of  85  feet  to  the  lower  adit. 
The  latter  has  850  feet  of  work  and  reaches  a  depth  of  200  feet  below 
the  outcrop.     Hand  drills  and  augers  were  used. 

The  mine  was  originally  worked  about  1902,  and  again  in  1905  and 
1910,  during  which  operations  it  is  credited  with  a  total  output  valued 
at  over  .$13,000.     The  reduction  equipment  consisted  of  a  series  of  pipe 


Photo   No.   7.     Ten-ton    Scott    fine-ore    furnace    and    condensers,    Kings    Quicksilver    Mining 

Company,    Ltd.,    Kings    County. 

retorts.  The  present  company  in  1914  completed  a  10-ton  Scott  fine- 
ore  furnace  (see  Photo  No.  7).  with  brick  condensers,  which  was  oper- 
ated with  .some  interruptions  up  to  the  close  of  1916.  The  bricks  were 
burned  in  a  field  kiln  at  the  mine.  A  concentrating  mill  was  also  built, 
and  operated  for  .some  months.  This  is  described  in  the  section  under 
Concentration.^  The  mill  and  the  rock  breaker  were  driven  bv  a  25 
h.  p.  crude-oil  engine;  and  the  furnace  blower  by  a  4  h.  p.  distillate 
engine.  During  the  summer  of  1917.  the  Scott  furnace  was  utilized 
by  the  King  ^Magnesite   Co..   to  calcine  magnesite  from  their  deposit 

'See  p.   33S,  post. 


52  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

iiearhy.  Tlic  pioixTty  is  at  present  (February,  1918)  under  option  to 
the  Patri(juiii  IJi-ollicrs  of  Paj'kfi(>l(l.  who  jn-opose  to  reopen  it  the  com- 
ing* spring. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  IMin.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  529-530;  Chapter 
rep.  bien.  period.  ]  91:3-1914,  pp.  103-101;  Bull.  No.  27,  p.  122. 
U.  S.  G.  S..  Min.  Res.  1902,  p.  253;  1912,  Ft.  I,  p.  939;  1913, 
Ft.  I,  p.  201. 

LAKE    COUNTY. 

Prospecting  and  exploitation  of  quicksilver  deposits  in  Lake  County 
began  in  the  early  sixties,  and  the  Abbott  mine  was  a  producer  as  early 
as  1870.  There  was  no  notable  production,  however,  until  1873.  As 
will  be  noted  by  reference  to  the  table  of  production,  quicksilver  min- 
ing was  most  active  in  this  county  from  1875  to  1882.  There  was  a 
revival  between  the  years  1891  and  1896 ;  but  beginning  with  1905 
there  was  a  rapid  decline,  until  it  reached  an  almost  insignificant  figure 
just  preceding  the  present  improved  market.  There  were  but  two  pro- 
ducers in  1913 — the  Helen  and  the  Wall  Street,  both  of  them  being 
near  Middletown.  It  may  be  noted  here  that  in  some  of  the  early 
reports  and  press  notices  the  Knoxville  mines  (Manhattan,  Lake,  Red-  i 
ington,  Boston)  were  erroneously  referred  to  as  being  located  in  Lake 
County.     They  are  in  Napa  County. 

There  are  four  recognized  quicksilver  districts  either  wholly  or  in 
part  located  in  Lake  County:  (1)  Mayacmas,  the  largest,  is  in  south- 
western Lake  and  extends  over  into  northeastern  Sonoma  and  north- 
western Napa;  (2)  Clear  LaJie  district  is  around  the  eastern,  southern, 
and  southwestern  sides  of  Clear  Lake;  (3)  Knoxville  district  is  at  the 
junction  of  Lake,  Yolo,  and  Napa,  being  principally  in  the  last  named; 
(4)  Sulphur  Creek  district  is  almost  wholly  in  Colusa  but  includes  the 
Abbott  mine  which  is  on  the  eastern  edg:e  of  Lake  County.  The  gen- 
eral geology  of  these  districts  is  described  in  preceding  paragraphs  at 
the  l)eginning  of  this  chapter.^  I 

The  recorded  quicksilver  yield  of  Lake  County  is  showai  in  the  fol- 
lowing tabulation.  The  actual  production  is  known  to  ])e  in  excess  of 
these  figures,  due  the  production  of  some  of  the  smaller  mines  previous 
to  1894  being  included  with  mines  of  other  counties,  unapportioned, 
under  the  designation,  "various  mines."  For  many  years  quicksilver 
was  the  premier  mineral  in  output  for  the  county;  but  between  1903 
and  1914,  it  was  surpassed  by  mineral  water. 


'See  pp.  30-33,  ante. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 
Quicksilver  Production   of   Lake  County. 


.5^3 


Year 


Flasks 


A'alue 


Tear 


Flasks 


Value 


1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1882 
188;^ 
1884 
1885 
1886 
1887 
1888 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
1895 
1896 


1 

8, 

14, 

18, 

14, 

15, 

17 

17 

10, 

6, 

4, 

4. 

3, 

4. 

6. 

4. 

4, 

4, 

11. 

9 

12, 

12. 

6, 


880 
695 
821 
199 
100 
428 
582 
148 
393 
193 
481 
182 
765 
498 
307 
636 
713 
232 
975 
140 
731 
471 
8.56 
307 


$70,790 
178.280 
743,287 
624.756 
675,130 
474,681 
309,303 
531,588 
518,833 
287,748 
186,329 
127,551 
146.524 
124,179 
182,509 
282,030 
212,085 
222,180 
225,119 
453„509 
357,614 
382,954 
465,074 
232,484 


1897. 
1898. 
1899. 
190). 

1901  . 

1902  . 
1903. 
1904. 
1905 . 
1906. 
1907. 
1908. 
1909. 
1910. 
1911  . 
1912. 
1913. 
1914. 
1915  . 
1916. 
1917. 


3,585 

1,729 

2,954 

3,165 

4,395 

3,611 

2,595 

*2,854 

1.462 

1,066 

802 

1,800 

1,075 

1,048 

899 

209 

395 

331 

492 

1,399 

1,067 


$134,.546 

64,746 

128,179 

127,345 

211,324 

161,568 

106.397 

109,719 

51,937 

38,909 

30,604 

54,951 

56,277 

47,422 

41,363 

8,786 

15,891 

16,2.36 

41,660 

130,806 

107,071 


Totals 251,166 


$9,700,274 


♦Flasks  of  75  pounds  since  June,  1901,  instead  of  73j  pounds  as  previously. 

Abbott  Mine.  E.  A.  Boggess  et  al.,  "Wilbur  Springs,  owners.  The 
Abbott  group  is  on  the  eastern  border  of  Lake  Count}',  in  Sec.  32, 
T  14  X.,  R.  5  W.,  about  two  miles  in  an  air  line  and  three  by  the  road 
from  Wilbur  Springs  post  office.  Colusa  County.  It  includes  also,  the 
old  Di.sturnell.  This  group  was  formerly  operated  by  the  Empire 
Consolidated  Quicksilver  ]\Iining  Campany;  but  the  property  has  been 
in  litigation  at  various  times,  and  apparently  is  still  not  fully  settled. 
The  mine  was  discovered  in  1862  and  began  production  in  1870,  con- 
tinuing to  1879 ;  then  idle  from  1879  to  1889 ;  and  again  operated,  for 
a  period  of  sixteen  years,  till  closed  down  in  1906 ;  since  which  it  has 
been  idle  except  for  a  short  period,  February  1916,  to  ]Mar.  17,  1917. 
The  mine  is  credited  with  a  total  production  to  date,  of  30,8-15  flasks. 
During  1916,  the  ore  treated  was  obtained  from  an  old  glory  hole  and 
by  working  over  some  of  the  old  dumps.  The  underground  workings 
are  quite  extensive,  the  greatest  depth,  however,  being  only  350  feet 
below  the  collar  of  the  'Bogge.ss'  shaft  (see  Plate  VIII).  There  have 
been  no  important  developments  underground,  since  Forstner's^  report. 

"This  mine  lies  on  the  soutliwestern  contact  of  a  serpentine  belt,  strike  northwest, 
with  a  shale  country  rock,  occasionally  sandstone.  The  serpentine  varies  in  width 
from  a  few  hundred  feet  to  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  is  about  2  J  miles  long.  To  the 
northeast  is  a  belt  of  sandstone,  rather  narrow  in  the  southern  portion,  but  widening 
rapidly  going  northward.  *  *  *  The  serpentine  is  interstratified  with  beds  of 
shales  and  sandstone  *  *  *  ;  the  same  alternations  are  found  underground.  *  *  * 
The  map  of  the  mine  workings  indicates  that  they  follow  generally  the  line  of  con- 
tact of  the  tuffoid.  with  the  shales  lying  west  thereof.  *  *  *  The  shales  west  of 
the  serpentine  contain  some  hydrocarbons.  In  places  petroleum  is  found  ;  in  others, 
gases  of  light  inflammalile  hydrocarbons  emanate  from  the  rock  or  bubble  up  through 
the  water  *  *  *  The  cinnabar  ore  forms  in  these  bands  of  serpentine,  more 
especially  in  close  proximity  to  the  tuffoid  ;  exceptionally  the  ore  is  found  in  the  shale. 
The  gangue  is  generally  strongly  crushed  opaline.  Metacinnabarite  occurs  occa- 
sionally, *  «  *  The  cinnal)ar  is  disseminated  through  the  crushed  opaline, 
partly  as  face  metal,  but  also  in  seams  and  pockets.  The  ore  zones  contain  a  great 
amount  of  iron  sulphides,  *  *  •  Very  little  gouge  is  found  between  the  ore 
bodies  and  the  walls.  The  groimd  in  the  ore  zones  and  in  the  shales  is  often  swelling, 
but  the  tuffoid  stands  very  well." 

'Forstner,   William.   The  quicksilver   resources   of  California :    Cal.    State   Min   Bur., 
Bull.   27,  pp.   46-48,   1903. 


54 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


H 
< 

a. 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  55 

The  rednction  equipment  consists  of  a  -t8-ton  Scott  furnace,  with  an 
ore  drier  located  between  the  crusher  and  furnace.  Present  reports 
(IMarch.  1918)  are  that  the  i)roperty  is  being  refinanced,  and  will  be 
reopened. 

Ribl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  IV,  p.  336  (tc-.ble)  ;  XI, 
p.  239;  XII,  p.  360;  XIII,  p.  595;  XIV,  p.  229;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  57 ;  Bull.  27,  pp.  46-48,  227 ;  Reg.  of 
Mines.  Lake  County,  p.  3.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  368 ;  Min. 
Res.  1902.  Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Geology,  vol.  II,  p.  124.  Min. 
Res.  W.  op  Rocky  Mts.,  1876,  p.  19. 

Anderson  Prospects,  owned  by  members  of  the  Anderson  family  of 
Anderson  Springs.  They  are  in  Sees.  25  and  35,  T.  11  N.,  R.  8  W., 
near  ]\Iiddletown.  They  have  not  been  previously  developed  but  are 
now  (March,  1918)  being  opened  up  by  R.  B.  Crowell,  lessee,  under 
the  name  of  Big  Chief. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  27,  p.  48 :  Rep.  XIV,  p.  230 ; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  58. 

Bacon.     Abandoned.     Reg.  of  Mines,  Lake  County,  p.  3 :  Rep.  IV, 

p.   336    (table);   XIV,   p.   230;   Chapter  rep.  bien.   period,   1913-1914, 
p.  58. 

Baker  Mine.  Baker  Quicksilver  Company,  owner;  A.  R.  Short, 
president,  1100  Delmas  Ave.,  San  Jose.  The  group  consists  of  two 
patented  claims,  Baker  and  Trade,  and  65  acres  of  agricultural  pat- 
ented land  adjoining  on  the  east  side  of  Soda  Creek,  in  Sec,  16,  T.  12 
N.,  R.  6  W.,  6  miles  southeast  of  Lower  Lake.  The  county  road  passes 
near  the  mine.  The  Baker  was  first  worked  at  least  as  early  as  1870, 
and  has  been  operated  at  various  times  in  a  small  way.  Present  oper- 
ations were  begun  in  1916  when  the  dumps  were  worked  over  with  a 
screening  and  concentrating  plant  and  some  surface  ore  taken  out  in 
an  open  cut.  The  earlier  underground  workings  are  caved.  In  1917, 
a  two-compartment  incline  shaft  has  been  sunk  100  feet,  and  drifting 
is  now  being  .started.  The  topography  in  this  vicinity  is  characterized 
by  a  series  of  rolling  ridges  and  small  valleys  with  longitudinal  axes 
approximately  north  and  south.  There  is  a  sparse  growth  of  oak  and 
pine  timber.  • 

There  are  two  ore  zones,  with  strike  varying  from  N.  20°,  W.,  to  N. 
60°  W..  and  dip  of  45°  NE.  The  ore  bodies  showing  widths  of  10' 
to  20',  are  stated  to  be  in  altered  shale  at  a  contact  with  serpentine, 
both  being  overlain  by  sandstone.  No.  1,  or  the  West  vein,  is  trace- 
able on  the  .surface  for  about  4000  feet ;  and  No.  2,  or  the  East  vein,  is 
75  feet   distant,   l)eing  traceable   from   near  the  southeast   end   of  the 


56  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

Baker  claim  to  the  northwest  end  of  the  group.  The  cinnabar  occurs 
disseminated  in  a  zone  of  crushed  and  altered  material,  with  occasional 
high-grade  pockets,  and  associated  with  iron  sulphide  and  metacinna- 
barite.  From  assays  reported,  the  average  of  the  material  as  a  whole 
appears  low  grade.  Most  of  the  development  haa  been  done  on  No.  1 
vein. 

Mining  equipment  consists  of  gasoline  hoist,  pump  and  blower. 
Surface  ore  is  being  taken  from  an  open-cut,  sluiced  through  a  revolv- 
ing screen,  and  the  fines  passed  over  concentrating  tables.  Water  is 
piped  2,000  feet  from  Soda  Creek,  with  a  raise  of  140  feet.  The  con- 
centrates are  reduced  in  a  7-pipe  retort.  At  present  5  men  are 
employed. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XI,  p.  67;  XII,  p.  360; 
XIII,  p.  595 ;  XIV,  p.  230 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914, 
58 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  49 ;  Reg.  of  Mines  of  Lake  Co.,  p.  3.  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Mon.  XIII,  p.  368.  Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Geology,*  vol.  II.  p. 
125. 

Big  Injun  Mine  (includes  Big  In.iun  and  Digger  Injun  claims). 
Peake,  Miller,  et  al.  (Union  Construction  Co.),  owners,  604  Mission  St., 
San  Francisco ;  R.  B.  Crowell,  Middletown,  buying  under  lease  and 
option.  This  group,  consisting  of  the  Big  Injun  and  8  other  claims, 
is  in  the  S.  ^  of  Sec.  35,  T.  11  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  7  miles  northwest 
from  Middletown  and  a  mile  south  of  Castle  Hot  Springs  by  sled  road. 
There  is  an  automobile  road  as  far  as  Castle  Springs.  The  outcrop 
was  discovered  about  1873,  b}^  'lujun  Jeif'.  It  had  been  worked  occa- 
sionally in  a  small  way,  but  was  idle  for  some  years  preceding  its  being 
reopened  by  the  present  lessee  in  1916.  The  mine  is  apparently  on 
a  contact  of  serpentine  and  sandstone,  but  the  formations  are  con- 
siderably broken  up  at  this  point.  There  are  two  'veins'  or  ore  zones, 
the  principal  development  having  been  done  on  the  eastern  one.  The 
strike  is  NW.,  and  dip  SW.  The  width  varies  up  to  30  feet,  with  ore 
shoots  showing  l'-4'  wide.  The  hanging-wall  is  somewhat  heavy  to 
hold,  especially  in  winter.  The  ore  is  characterized  by  the  presence  of 
considerable  native  mercury  with  cinnabar ;  and  the  gangue  minerals 
are  quartz  and  dolomite.  There  are  3  main  crosscut  adits,  the  lowest 
being  in  550',  reaching  a  depth  of  150'  below  the  outcrop.  At  350'  in 
on  this  crosscut  there  is  a  liot  sulphur  spring.  The  ore  is  treated  in 
two  'D'  retorts,  700  pounds  per  charge,  3  charges  per  24  hours.  A 
water-spray  was  at  one  time  tried  in  the  condenser,  but  diseontiiincd 
because  of  flouring  the  (|iiicksilver.  The  condensing  system  on  each 
retort  consists  of  20  feet  of  6-inch  thick-wall  cast-iron  pipe,  and  a  verti- 
cal wood-stave  tank  3'  diam.  x  8'  high,  (see  I'hoto  No.  8)  with  a  con- 


I 


4 


QUICKSILVKK    RKSOTTRCES. 


57 


Crete  floor.  There  is  also  a  shakiiiii'  screen  and  a  Standard  concentrat- 
ing- table,  which  are  used  to  dress  low-grade  ore,  during  the  winter 
months.  A  revolving  screen  will  he  added.  The  fines  from  the  screen 
go  to  the  table.  The  ore  retorted  during  10  months  up  to  September, 
1917,  yielded  an  average  of  2%  mercury.  Wood  consumed  was  20 
cords  per  month,  at  a  cost  of:  $2  for  cutting,  50^  stumpage,  and  $3 
hauling,  per  cord.  An  average  of  12  men  were  employed,  6  of  whom 
were  underground  @  $3  per  day. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  230 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  50 ; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  58. 


Photo   No.   8.      Retorts  and  condensers  at  the   Big  Injun   Mine,  near  Middletown,   Lake  County. 

The  Bullion  Mine  is  4  miles  southwest  of  Middletown,  between  the 
Mirabel  and  Great  Western,  Ben  H.  Otto,  J.  W.  Wrieden,  and  Chas. 
Elliott,  owners,  ]\Iiddletown.  It  was  formerly  worked  by  the  Mirabel 
Company,  and  had  been  abandoned  for  several  years,  but  was 
relocated  in  August,  1913.  In  tlie  spring  of  1917,  a  few  flasks  of  quick- 
silver were  produced  l)y  concentrating  old  dump  material  with  hand 
rockers.  The  concentrates  were  retorted.  Some  development  work 
was  also  carried  on. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  ]\Iin.  Bur.,  Reports  XII,  p.  360;  XIII,  p.  595; 
XIV,  p.  230;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  58;  Bull. 
27,  pp.  no.  01. 


58  CALIFOHMA    STATK    MIMXG   BrKEAT. 

Chicago  Mine  (oi'i^inall>'  known  as  the  Pittsburgh;  also  Ural).  This 
property  is  owned  by  the  Chicago  Quicksilver  IMining  Company,  522 
Bank  of  San  Jose  Building,  San  Jose,  Cal.  Tt  is  in  Sec.  1,  T.  10  N.,  R. 
8  W.,  about  ^  mile  west  of  the  Wall  Street  mine,  near  IMiddletown.  It 
has  l)e(Mi  idle  for  some  time.  The  last  operations  here  were  in  1911 
on  the  construction  of  a  tine-ore  furnace  of  15  tons  capacity,  with  con- 
crete walls.  The  furnace  was  not  finished,  and  consequently  never 
operated.  It  would  be  interesting  to  note  the  behavior  of  the  concrete 
when  heated.  It  looks  to  be  an  experiment  with  rather  a  doubtful 
outcome. 

Bibl:  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Reports  XIII,  p.  595;  XIV,  p.  230; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  58 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  51 ;  Reg. 
of  :\rines.  Lake  County,  p.  8 ;  U.  S.  G.  S.  Min.  Res.  of  U.  S.  1909, 
Part  I,  p.  552 ;  1910,  Part  I,  p.  697 ;  1911,  Part  I,  p.  901 ;  1912, 
Part  I,  p.  940. 

Great  Western  Mine.  H.  M.  Newhall  &  Co.,  ow^ners,  Newhall  Build- 
ing, San  Francisco.  It  is  4  miles  southwest  of  Middletown,  and  two 
miles  northwest  of  the  ^Mirabel  mine,  at  an  elevation  of  1860  feet. 
This  mine  has,  so  far,  had  the  longest  continuous  record  as  a  producer 
of  any  quicksilver  mine  in  Lake  County.  It  was  opened  up  in  1873, 
and  was  a  constant  producer  up  to  1909,  being  credited  with  a  total 
yield,  to  date,  of  98,316  t^asks.  A  few  flasks  were  recovered  in  1912 
in  cleaning-up  around  the  old  furnaces;  and,  again,  in  1916,  by  a  lessee 
with  one  Standard  table,  wa.shing  and  concentrating  material  from 
some  of  the  dumps.  The  former  operating  company  has  been  dis- 
incorporated, the  furnaces  torn  down,  and  the  mine  abandoned  as 
worked  out.  In  1916  and  19i7,  some  chromite  was  shipped  from  lenses 
opened  up  by  lessees,  in  a  body  of  serpentine  on  the  property.  As 
might  be  expected  from  its  output  record,  the  Great  Western  mine  has 
extensive^  underground  workings,  and  to  a  depth  of  750  feet.  The 
mine  and  its  geology  are  described  at  some  length  in  the  reports  noted 
under  Bibliography.  The  general  strike  of  the  ore  body  was  north- 
west, with  a  (lip  of  about  70°  SW.  The  footwall  is  a  very  hard  sedi- 
mentai'y  rock  altci'cd  i)y  silicifieation,'-  locally  calhMl  'greenstone';  and 
the  hanging  wall,  at  least  at  the  surface  is  serpentine.  The  ledge  matter 
Avas  formed  by  a  series  of  thin  ])eds  of  chert,  having  their  bedding 
planes  parallel  to  the  strike  of  the  ledge  and  interstratified  with  day 
seams.  This  cli(M-t  was  locally  called  '(|uartzite. '  The  dip  of  the  ser- 
pentine being  (latter  than  that  of  tlie  ledge  matter,  the  intervening 
space  was  filled  with  a  black  'alia.'  The  cinnabar  occurred  in  an  irreg- 
ular niannei-.  LicneralK-  in  seams,  and  as  face  metal  in  the  fractures  of 


I 


'Whitnev.  .7.   I).,  GooloRV  of  Californlii :  Geol.   Surv.  of  Cal..  vol.  T.  p.   !tO,   1865. 
'Fnv:ini'r.    Willi:ini,    Tlic    Mnirksilvi  r    ri'snurcps   of    California  :    Cal.    .^tate    Min.    Bur., 

null.  L'T,  p.  .">!,  iiin.1. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  59 

the  chert,  bnt  in  tlie  richer  spots  disseminated  through  the  chert  itself, 
associated  with  pyrite.  The  main  working  shaft  was  sunk  vertically 
in  the  footwall.  The  property  was  equipped  with  a  40-ton  Litchfield 
furnace. 

Bilil.:  C.VL.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X.  p.  270;  XI,  p.  64;  XII, 
p.  861 ;  XIII,  p.  595 ;  XIV,  p.  231 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period, 
1913-1914,  p.  59;  Bull.  27.  pp.  52-55;  Reg.  of  Mines,  Lake 
County,  p.  3.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  pp.  358-362,  470;  Min. 
Res.  of  U.  S.,  1883.  1884.  1892,  1902,  1906,  1907,  Part  I ;  1908, 
Part  I;  1909.  Part  I;  1912.  Part  I.  Min.  Res.  W.  op  Rocky 
Mtxs..  1874.  1875.  1876. 

The  old  Hays  mine  in  the  E.  ^  of  NE.  i  of  Sec.  18,  T.  10  N.,  R.  7 
W.  (  .'),  ]\I.  D.  ]M.,  near  Middletown,  has  been  idle  for  many  years. 
Some  fair  looking-  pieces  of  ore  are  reported  to  have  been  picked  up  on 

the  dump.     ]\Ir.  Knapp,  owner,  Oakland;  Geo.  Lewis,  agent, 

]\Iiddletowu. 

Helen  Mine  (originally  called  'Dead  Broke'^;  one  time  known  as 
the  American.  Andrew  Rocca,  owaier,  ]\Iiddletown ;  Andrew  Rocca, 
Jr.,  superintendent  and  manager.  This  mine  is  in  Sec.  1.  T.  10  N., 
R.  8  W..  :\I.  D.  :\I..  6  miles  west  of  :\Iiddletown,  at  an  elevation  of  2675 
feet  (barometric  reading  at  bottom  of  furnace).  It  consists  of  two 
claims,  the  Helen  and  the  Austin,  which  were  patented  in  1874  by 
Pushbecker.  later  sold  to  the  American  company  and  to  the  present 
owner  in  1900.  The  property  includes  between  600  and  700  acres 
(partly  timbered)  besides  the  mineral  claims'  area.  The  timber,  some- 
what scattered  for  the  most  part,  consists  of  pine,  oak,  madrone,  and 
'fir'  (Douglas  spruce.  Pseudotsuga  taxifolia).  The  mine  is  at  the  head 
of  the  north  branch  of  Dry  Creek.  The  first  recorded  production  of 
the  Helen  mine  was  128  flasks  in  1873,  and  it  is  credited  wdth  a  total 
yield  of  something  over  6.000  flasks  to  date. 

The  mineralized  ledge  is  up  to  100  feet  wide,  with  an  average  of  30 
feet.  It  is  at  the  contact  of  serpentine  with  sandstone  and  slate,  and 
has  a  black  gouge  on  the  hanging-wall.  The  vein  outcrop  is  prominent, 
and  strikes  X.  40^  W..  dipping  30°  to  40°  S.  There  are  three  main 
levels  at  present  operated,  being  by  tunnels,  one  of  which  is  in  2.000 
feet  giving  a  depth  of  316  feet  below  the  outcrop.  The  ore  shoots  are 
from  70'  to  100'  long,  and  5'-10'  wide.  The  ledge  has  been  proven 
underground  by  drifting,  for  1000  feet  in  length.  The  ore  is  cinna- 
bar, intermixed  with  pyrite,  and  occurs  in  seams,  sometimes  an  inch  or 
two  thick,  of  solid  cinnabar.  These  seams  are  approximately  parallel 
to  the  ledge,  and  are  crossed  at  high  angles  by  other  and  rather  minute 
ore  seams.     The  serpentine  is   in   i)ai't  silicified  and   carries  lenses  of 


'Whitney,  J.  D.,  Geology  of  California:  Geol.  Suiv.  of  Cal.,  vol.  I,  p.   89,   1865. 


60 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


hard.  liii('-,i;i';iiii('(l  black  '  jasperoid. '  On  the  outcroi),  sonic  ore  has 
been  stoped  out  to  the  surface.  Mining'  is  conducted  by  square-set 
stoping,  beinj;  75%,  by  overhand  and  25%  by  underhand  sloping.  The 
ore  is  trammed,  horse-drawn,  from  mine  to  furnace  in  trains  carrying 
3  tons  per  trip. 

Both  the  mine  and  the  furnace  have  been  steadily  in  operation  foi* 
some  years  past,  at  present  having  25  men  at  work — 12  underground, 
6  on  top,  and  6  on  the  furnace.  The  furnace  is  a  50-ton  Scott  (see 
Photo  No.  0),  and  has  special  condenser  arrangements  designed  by  Mr. 


Photo   No.   9.      Fifty-ton    Scott   furnace   at   the    Helen    Mine,    near    Middletown,    Lake    County. 
Old  dumps  of  the  Wall   Street  Mine  in  the  distance. 

Rocca,  ill  whicli  the  draft  is  (juntrolled  by  dampers.  It  is  said  to  work 
satisfactorily.  The  owner  states  that  the  ore  being  reduced  averages 
0.6%  quicksilver,  and  that  he  can  handle  at  a  profit  ore  carrying  down 
to  0.25%  of  the  metal.  Soot  from  the  condensers,  and  occasional  small 
lots  of  rich  ore  are  treated  in  a  'D'  retort  of  750  pounds  capacity.  A 
small  gasoline  engine,  run  intermittently,  furnishes  power  for  the  rock 
breaker.  The  furnace  consumes  1^  cords  of  firewood  per  24  hours. 
The  mine  equipment  includes  a  25  h.  p.,  type  NB,  Fairbanks-]\Iorse 
oil  engine,  and  a  25  h.  p.  or  "100  cu.  ft.  of  free  air  pi>r  minute."  Inger- 
soll-Rand  class  E  R  I  compres.sor.  This  oil  engine  is  stated  to  operate 
at  a  cost  of  20^'-  ])er  horsepower-day.  Operating  costs  are  given  at 
$4.10  per  ton  of  ore,  distributed  as  follows:  development  .$2.20;  mining 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  Gl 

$1.15;  treatment  60^;  g'eneral  15f.  An  80%  recovery  is  claimed.  As 
the  upper  parts  of  the  mine  are  ditificult  to  work  on  account  of  water  in 
the  wet  season,  only  tlie  lower  levels  are  worked  during  the  winter 
months. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  :\riN.  Bur.,  Reports  XII,  p.  362;  XIV,  pp.  231- 
233 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  pp.  59-61 ;  Bull.  27, 
pp.  55-57 ;  Reg.  of  Mines,  Lake  County,  p.  3.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon. 
XIII,  p.  375;  Min.  Res.  1902;  1907,  Part  I;  1908,  Part  I;  1909, 
Part  I ;  1911,  Part  I,  p.  901 ;  1912,  Part  I,  pp.  9-40-942 ;  1915, 
Part  I.  p.  269.  Min.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mtns.,  1874,  p.  30. 
Geoi..  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Geol.  vol.  I,  p.  89. 

Jewess  Prospect  (also  known  as  Franklin).  It  is  near  the  Helen 
and  Wall  Street  mines,  but  so  far  as  known  has  never  produced  any 
quicksilver.     Idle  for  several  years. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  233 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  57 ; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period.  1913—1914.  p.  61. 

Lucitta  Mine  (also  known  locally  as  the  Uncle  Sam).  ^Mount  Sam 
Mining  Co.,  owner;  Theo.  A.  Bell,  president,  701  Crocker  Building, 
San  Francisco.  This  group  of  four  claims  is  located  on  the  south  slope 
of  :\Iount  Konocti  (or  Uncle  Sam),  in  Sees.  20  and  21,  T.  13  X..  R.  8 
W.,  ]M.  D.  M.,  about  7  miles  southeast  of  Kelseyville.  The  mine  has  not 
been  worked  recently  nor  has  it  reported  any  production  for  several 
years  past.  The  formation,  here,  is  mainly  igneous,^  boulders  of 
andesites  being  prominent,  the  intervening  material  being  a  decom- 
posed tuff  bleached  by  solfataric  action.  White  beds  of  leached  meta- 
morphic  shales  are  found  in  these  igneous  masses,  and  occasional 
bodies  of  clay.  In  the  lower  tunnel  cinnabar  had  been  deposited  on 
the  face  of  the  boulders  of  ore.  A  small  prospect  opening  near  the 
dump  of  Tunnel  X"o.  2,  showed  solfataric  action,  and  formations  similar 
to  those  at  the  surface  at  the  Sulphur  Bank  mine. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  V,  p.  96;  XIV.  p.  233; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  61;  Bull.  27,  p.  oS;  Reg. 
of  ]\Iines,  Lake  County,  p.  3. 

The  Maypole  prospect.  7  miles  west  of  Middletown,  has  been  aban- 
doned. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  :\Iin.  Bur.,  Reports  XIII,  p.  596 ;  XIV.  p.  233 ; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914.  p.  61. 

'[-"orstner.  Wm..  The  quicksilver  resources  of  California:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.. 
Bull.   27,  p.   58,   1903. 


f»2  CALIFORNIA   STATK   MIXING   BUREAU. 

TIk'  Middletown  prospuL-t,  hall"  a  mile  suuthwest  from  the  Jewess, 
has  been  al)andoued. 

Bihl.:  Cal.  State  .Min.  Buk.,  Report  XIV,  p.  233;  Chapter  rep. 
bieii.  period,  1913-191-4,  p.  (il;  Bull.  27,  p.  59. 

Mirabel  Mine  (Bradford).  This  mine,  4  miles  south  of  Middle- 
towu.  wa.s  opened  up  in  1887,  as  the  Bradford,  and  later  renamed 
]\Iirabel,  being  owned  by  the  Standard  Quicksilver  Company.  J.  ]\IcL. 
Harvey,  Calistoga,  is  agent.  For  ten  years  it  was  one  of  the  important 
producers  of  Lake  County,  but  in  1897  was  abandoned  as  worked  out ; 
and  the  mine  has  filled  with  water.  In  1908,  a  small  production  was 
reported  as  having  been  made  from  a  clean-up  around  the  old  furnace ; 
and  in  1916,  a  similar,  small  output  was  made  with  a  concentrating 
table  working  on  material  from  the  dump  and  from  around  the  furnace. 
The  property  is  credited  with  a  total  yield  of  about  30,600  iiasks. 
Underground,  a  vertical  depth  of  500  feet  was  reached,  with  22.500 
linear  feet  of  drifts,  and  750  feet  of  shaft  work.  ]\Iore  extended 
descriptions  of  the  mine  and  its  geology  will  l)e  found  in  the  references 
noted  under  Bibliography. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  YIII,  p.  325;  X,  p.  270; 
XI,  p.  61;  XII,  p.  361;  XIII.  p.  595;  XIV,  p.  233;  Chapter  rep. 
bieu.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  61;  Reg.  of  Mines,  Lake  County,  p. 
3;  Bull.  27,  pp.  60-61.  V.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII.  p,  375;  Min. 
Res.  1888,  p.  97;  1891,  p.  117;  1892,  p.  160.  Trans.  A.  I.  M.  E., 
XXII,  p.  86. 

Red  Elephant  Prospect.  W.  G.  Tremper,  owner,  Lower  Lake.  It  is 
in  Sec.  3,  T.  11  X.,  R.  5  AV.,  :\I.  D.  M.,  near  the  Xapa  County  line  ^  mile 
west  of  Knoxville.  Only  suiYicient  development,  mostly  surface  work, 
has  been  done  to  cover  annual  assessments,  since  its  location  about  1898. 
One  shaft  is  down  28  feet.  The  ore  zone  is  stated  to  be  20'-40'  wide, 
and  has  Ijeen  proven  on  the  surface  for  a  length  of  300  feet.  The  coun- 
try is  mainly  serpentine,  much  of  it  being  thoroughly  weathered  to  an 
ochre.     There  is  no  reduction  equipment. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV.  j).  234:  Chai)1('r  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914.  p.  (52 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  92;  Reg.  of  Mines, 
Lake  County,  p.  3. 

Red  Rock  and  Silver  Rock  Claims.  Henry  B.  AVeipei-  and  Henry 
Schalclili.  owners.  Lower  Lake.  This  group  of  claims  located  in  1916, 
is  in  Sec.  17.  T.  12  N.,  R.  6  W..  .M.  I).  ]\I.,  5  miles  from  Lower  Lake,  on 
tlie  road  to  Alorgan  X'allcy.  and  near  the  Bakci-  mine.  Only  a  small 
amount  of  diNclopment  woi'k  has  so  far  been  ilone.  Cinnabar  occurs 
in  an  ochi'eoiis  leduc  about  1*1  feet  wide  on  the  sni'fnce.     Tliis  ochreons 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  63 

material  eould  probably  be  concentrated  on  tables  without  nineh 
ernshiny.  if  a  suttieient  water-supply  could  be  obtained.  It  appears  to 
be  from  a  very  thoroughly  weathered  serpentine.  The  cinnabar  is  dis- 
tinctly crystalline,  but  mostly  rather  fine  grained. 

Rich  Hill  Prospect.  Henry  liardester,  IMiddletown,  has  a  ciuick- 
silver  prospect  in  Sec.  19,  T.  10  N.,  R.  6  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  southeast  of 
Middletown  and  i>ear  the  Oat  Hill  miiie.  The  ore  body  is  stated  to 
show  6'-7'  wide,  in  sandstone;  and  a  shaft  has  been  sunk  106'. 

Shamrock  Prospect.  This  group  of  two  claims  is  on  Rocky  Creek, 
a  branch  of  Cache  Creek,  m  Sec.  23,  T.  13  N.,  R.  6  W.,  about  10  miles 
northeast  of  Lower  Lake.  It  is  owned  by  the  Shamrock  Development 
Company  (Jas.  Daly,  W.  P.  Swift  et  al.),  Napa.     The  property  is  idle. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  234;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  62;  Bull.  27,  p.  60;  Reg.  of  Mines, 
Lake  County,  p.  3. 

Sulphur  Bank  Mine.  Geo.  T.  Ruddock,  owner,  433  California  Street, 
San  Francisco;  Sulphur  Bank  Association  (a  co-partnership),  817 
Crocker  Building,  San  Francisco,  operators  under  a  lease  and  bond ; 
H.  W.  Gould,  general  superintendent ;  N.  J.  ]\Iartin,  superintendent  at 
the  mine.  This  mine  is  one  of  the  notable  and  much  written-about 
cpiicksilver  mines  of  the  world.  It  is  extremely  interesting  from  many 
standpoints — those  of  chemistry,  mineralogy  and  geology,  as  well  as 
metallurgy  and  mining.  It  was  first  worked  in  1865  for  sulphur,  and 
in  the  four  years  to  and  including  1868  produced  a  total  of  nearly 
2,000,000  pounds  of  that  mineral,  valued  at  $53,500.  The  property 
was  at  that  time  owned  by  the  California  Borax  Company  which  dur- 
ing the  same  period  was  also  producing  borax  from  Borax  Lake, 
near-by.  The  two  are  still  intact  and  the  land  has  been  leased  out  as 
part  of  a  cattle  range  for  some  years. 

During  the  time  of  working  the  surface  cuts  for  sulphur,  some  diffi- 
culty was  experienced  in  refining  the  material  because  of  the  presence 
of  cinnabar,  which  darkened  the  product.  The  proportion  of  cinna- 
bar increased  with  depth.  Cost  of  transportation  to  the  market  and  a 
rapid  fall  in  the  price  of  sulphur  caused  a  cessation  of  operations,  but 
the  mine  was  reopened  and  developed  for  its  ciuicksilver  in  1873,  being 
a  steady  and  important  producer  until  1883.  After  four  years  of  idle- 
ness, work  was  resumed  and  continued  until  1897,  when  it  was  again 
shut  down.  In  1899  the  mine  was  reopened  and  worked  until  Decem- 
ber, 1905,  the  shaft  being  kept  unwatered  until  June,  1906,  since  which 
time  it  has  been  idle  until  the  r(>cent  surface  work  herein  described. 
As  a  producer  of  quicksilver,  the  Sulphur  Bank  mine  is  credited  with 
a  total  output  of  approximately  92,400  flasks.     It  is  said  that  at  the 


o 
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tJJO 

c 

o 
o 


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c 


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o 


c 

o 
o 


c 

n) 

u 

3 

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2 


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a. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


65 


lime  of  tlie  last  closing  down  of  the  mine  (due  to  financial  troubles  as 
■well  as  the  increasino-  difficulties  of  ventilation  and  pumping  in  conse- 
(|uence  of  the  hot  waters  and  deleterious  gases)  they  had  opened  up  a 
good  body  of  high-grade  ore  underground  from  the  Empire  shaft. 
The  Sulphur  Bank  is  a  low,  rounded  hill  (see  Photo  No.  10),  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  Clear  Lake  in  Sec.  6,  T.  13  N.,  R.  7  W.,  about  10  miles 


Photo   No.    11.      Exfoliation  of  basalt  at  Sulphur  Bank  Mine,  due  to  solfataric 
action.      Photo   by    Emile    Huguenin. 

north  of  Lower  Lake.  It  is  also  reached  by  launch  from  Lakeport. 
The  elevation  is  1350  feet  at  the  lake  level.  The  old  surface 
cuts  much  resemble  those  of  a  placer  mine  with  its  tailings 
piles  of  boulders,  except  that  over  it  all  is  a  pulverulent,  white 
powdery  material,  the  result  of  the  continuing  decomposition  of  the 
rocks  by  the  solfataric  vapors  and  waters  still  present.     The  glare  is 


-38540 


m 


CALIFOUNIA   STATK   MINING  BUREAU. 


almost  blinding'  on  a  sunny  day.  Tlie  i-oiuided  l)oulder.s  due  to  concen- 
tric decomposition,  as  described  by  Becker^  can  be  plainly  seen  (see 
Photo  No.  11).  The  evidences  of  solfataric  activity  are  numerous  and 
strikiuii'.  Iron  I'ails,  nails,  cables,  etc.,  are  sulphurized  and  oxidized. 
Wood  is  blackened  and  rotted.  There  are  abundant  sulphur  crystals 
in  crevices  and  flour  sulphur  around  vents  where  vapors  are  i.ssuing. 
At  the  mouth  of  an  abandoned  shaft,  now  caved,  near  the  eastern  edge 
of  the  surface  workings  (either  the  Hermann  shaft  or  Hermann  air 
shaft — ^see  Plate  IX,  reprinted  from  Bulletin  27,  p.  62),  hot,  moist, 
sulphurous  gases  are  still  escaping,  and  under  a  noticeable  pressure. 


Photo   No.    12.      Hot  springs  in  bottom   of   "Western   Cut,"   Sulphur   Bank   Mine. 

The  odor  of  snl])hui'  dioxide  is  vwy  strong,  so  th;it  it  was  difficult  to 
breathe  whiU'  placing  a  lln'rnioniclcr  in  one  of  llir  openings  to  observe 
the  temperature.  It  showed  lOS^  F. — tliis  being  at  llie  surface. 
Becker^  recorded  lenii)eratures  np  to  17()  h\  at  a  depth  of  -SOO  feet. 
The  i^ocks  about  llie  opening  and  pi-otruding  sticks  of  limber  are  heav- 
ily coated  with  a  deposit  ol'  (lour  snlphnr.  There  is  a  sound  as  of  a 
roariiig  fui'nace  from  beh)\v.  How  ;iny  one  eouhi  bre.ithe  in  such  an 
atmosphere,  much  less  \voi-l<.  is  a  matter  for  wondei-ineiit.  There  Avas 
a   dead    rat    lying   at    one   of   the   openings.      .\t    the    npper   end   of   the 


'Becker,  G.   \<\.  Geolog.v  of  the  (luieU.silvcr  dcpusits  of  the  Pacilic  Slope  :  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Mon.  XIII,  p.   2r,6,   1888. 
-Op.   fit.,  p.    259. 


PLATE  IX. 


Sulphur  Bank  Mine. 


u    c    h    e    d 


;  s.5-.\..  \ 

'/'   > 


_,Ap'U'''.,' 


,'Cuf-'\ 


■v*"'*.  'J 


C^' 


*!*-     »MermaP    Jtir  Shaft 


/         -   ■ "  Barron  •SAa/t 


i''l 


.iiiiL'!'"' 


fiamoftd  Shoff 


.^' 


^ 


•.fill!!*- 


i 


.<^^ 


Scale    of    Projections 


mmi 


w 


Q  IMP . 


--'B 


m 

m 

nil,/" 


Geological    Map   of    Sulphur    Bank    Mine,    Lake    County. 
Reprinted    from    P.uUetin    No.    27. 


38540    p.  66 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  67 

'Western  Cut,'  there  are  a  number  of  warm  springs  with  considerable 
excess  gas  escaping  with  the  water— the  whole  having  the  appearance 
of  a  series  of  boiling  cauldrons.  (Photo  No.  12.)  The  appearance  is 
deceiving,  however,  as  the  temperatures  are  much  lower  than  one  would 
expect.  The  following  temperatures  were  obtained  by  the  writer:  84° 
F. ;  108"^  (water  inky,  with  a  black  deposit  forming  about  it)  ;  100°; 
97'  (in  upper  corner).  The  Empire  shaft  (the  latest  sunk)  was  filled 
with  water  to  within  15  feet  of  the  collar  at  the  time,  and  escaping 
gases  were  bubbling  up  through  the  water. 

"Tlie  gases  escaping  from  the  waters  are  carlion  dioxide,  hydrogen  sulphide,  sulphur 
dioxide,  and  marsli  gas.  Tlie  waters  contain  cliieMy  carbonates,  borates,  and  clilorides 
of  sodium,   potassium   and  ammonium  ;    but  all-caline   sulphides  are   also   present."^ 

As  to  the  mode  of  occurrence  of  cinnabar  at  Sulphur  Bank,  it  is  well 
summarized  bv  Becker,*  as  follows : 

"It  does  not  occur  in  sensible  quantities  at  or  near  the  surface,  but  is  found  to  a 
considerable  extent  mixed  with  sulpliur  in  the  lower  portion  of  the  zone  of  oxidation. 
The  principal  deposits  are  below  tliis  level.  They  are  found  in  the  m.ore  or  less 
decomposed  basalt,  in  the  underlying  recent  lake  bottom,  and  in  the  Knoxville  shales 
and  sandstones.  The  cinnabar  is  associated  chiefly  with  silica,  in  part  crystalline 
and  in  part  amorphous.  In  the  lava  it  appears  as  small  seams,  which  commonly 
follow  eitlier  the  original  cracks  between  the  blocks  or  the  concentric  surfaces  of  the 
decomposed  masses.  In  the  lake  deposits  below  the  basalt  the  cinnabar  Is  found  as 
impregnations  or  irregular  seams.  In  the  workings  from  the  Herman  shaft  the  ore 
occurs  exactly  as  it  does  in  most  of  the  quiclvsilver  mines  of  California,  more  or  less 
completely  filling  interstices  in  shattered  rock  masses.  *  *  *  p,.  Melville  has 
found  small  quantities  of  gold  and  copper  in  the  marcasite  accompanying  the  cinnabar. 
*  *  *  The  intimate  association  of  the  ore  with  the  sulphur,  opal,  quartz,  pyrite, 
and  to  a  smaller  extent  with  calcite,  is  amply  sufficient  to  show  that  it  has  been 
deposited  from  water." 

Also  :' 

"Excepting  for  the  solfataric  springs  the  underground  mine  at  Sulphur  Bank 
resembles  the  other  principal  quicksilver  mines  of  California.  *  *  *  This  fact  is 
an  important  one,  for  it  proves  that  deposits  indistinguishable  from  those  found  in  the 
Redington,  New  Almaden,  and  other  mhies  may  be  formed  in  the  same  manner  as 
those  at  Sulphur  Bank,  by  precipitation  from  hot  spi'ings  of  volcanic  origin." 

At  the  "Little  Sulphur  Bank,"  above  ^  mile  south  of  Borax  Lake, 
some  jjrospectiug  has  been  done.  Here,  the  same  sulphurous  odors  are 
noticeable  as  at  Sulphur  Bank.  The  property  was  formerly  equipped 
with  a  Knox-O.sborne  25-ton  furnace,  3  Hiittner-Scott  furnaces  of  40, 
n  and  30  tons,  respectively,  and  a  battery  of  9  'D'  retorts.  Some 
((uicksilver  was  produced  during  1915,  1916,  and  early  in  1917,  before 
the  present  operators  began  work,  by  retorting  material  obtained  in 
tearing  down  the  old  furnaces. 

The  present  operators  built  a  concentrating  plant,  utilizing  a  revolv- 
ing screen  and  4  Deister-Overstrom  tables,  which  they  have  been  using 
as  a  test-unit  to  work  out  an  ore-dressing  scheme  for  the  material  in 
the  extensive  dumps.  This  plant  and  its  accomplishments  up  to  the 
time  of  the  author's  visit  (September,  1917)  are  described  in  detail  in 
the  section  of  this  bulletin  on  Metallurgy."  As  there  recounted,  much 
difficulty  was  experienced  in  rctoi'ting  the  concentrates  on  account  of 
the  considerable  percentage  of  native,  free  sulphur  present,  forming  a 


•'Becker,  oiJ.  cit.,  p.  4  63. 
^Op.   cit.,  p.   2^7. 
'^Op.   cit.,  p.   263. 
'•See  D.   3  4  6,  nnat. 


68  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

matte  witli  tlie  iron  of  the  retorts.  Two  12-pipe  banks  of  Johnson- 
McKay  retorts  were  then  in  use,  and  a  battery  of  4  'D'  retorts  was 
beino-  built.  Oak  and  manzanita  were  being  used  for  fuel  at  a  cost  of 
$4.50  per  cord  at  the  retort,  divided  as  follows :  $2  cutting ;  50^'-  stump- 
age;  $2  hauling.  This  was  expected  soon  to  increase.  An  assaying  j 
and  chemical  laboratory  is  maintained,  and  the  various  products  are 
sampled,  so  that  a  careful  watch  is  kept  on  all  of  the  current  condi- 
tions and  developments.  Since  the  mine  was  visited,  we  are  informed 
that  a  revolving  furnace  is  being  installed,  which  it  is  hoped  will  solve 
the  roasting  difficulties.  For  the  present  at  least,  no  undergrouml 
work  is  planned,  there  being  several  hundred  thousand  tons  at  the  sur- 
face, estimated  as  material  available  for  treatment  l)y  the  proposed 
methods.  Practically  all  of  the  dumps  in  sight  (see  Photo  No.  10  i 
and  some  over  the  hill  on  the  north  side,  have  concentratable  values  in 
cinnabar.  The  material  can  be  cheaply  excavated  with  a  steam  shovel 
and  transported  to  the  mill  by  motor  trucks,  as  it  will  have  to  be  moved 
distances  up  to  i  mile  and  raised  to  the  top  of  the  mill  bin. 

The  development  of  their  scheme  of  ore-dressing  and  reduction  here 
will  be  watched  with  much  interest. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  IV,  pp.  157,  330,  336,  339: 
V,  p.  96 ;  VI,  Part  I,  p.  136 ;  VIII,  p.  324 ;  X,  pp.  238,  239 ;  XI,  p. 
63 ;  XII,  p.  363 ;  XIII,  p.  597 ;  XIV.  pp.  234-238,  240 ;  Chapter 
rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  pp.  62-66,  68;  Bull.  27,  pp.  61-70; 
Reg.  of  Mines,  Lake  County,  ]).  3.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  :\Ion.  XIII,  pp. 
251-270,  463;  Min.  Res.,  1883,  pp.  394-397;  1884,  p.  492;  1892, 
pp.  146,  148,  160;  1902,  pp.  251,  252;  Water  Sup.  Pap.  338,  pp. 
98-99.  Geol.  Surv.  op  Cal.,  Geol.,  Vol.  I,  p.  99.  Trans.  A.  I. 
M.  E.,  XXIII,  pp.  225  ct  seq.:  XXXIII,  p.  751;  Genesis  of  Ore 
Dep.,  pp.  32,  66,  256.  JMin.  Res.,  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1868,  p. 
266;  1876,  p.  20  Am.  Jour,  of  Sci.,  Vol.  XXIV,  3d  Ser.,  pp. 
23  et  seq. 

Thorn  Mine  (Bear  Canon).  It  is  west  of  Middletown.  in  Sec.  36, 
T.  11  N.,  R.  8  W.,  near  Anderson  Springs ;  Thorn  Bros.,  owners.  Only 
assessment  worl<  was  done  foi-  several  years,  but  it  is  said  no  ore  bodies 
of  consequence  have  Ixmmi  (h'velo])e(l.  In  1909.  a  small  production 
was  repoi'tcd  from  oi'i'  taken  out  during  development  work,  but  notli- 
ing  has  been  done  since. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]\Iin.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  239 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  66;  P»ull.  27.  p.  70.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  :\rin. 
Res.  1909.  I 'a  1-1   T.  p.  5.52.  j 

Utopia  Mine.  The  Utopia  is  on  Hie  eastern  shore  of  Clear  Lake  in 
Sec.  25,  T.  15  N.,  K.  !)  W.,  near  Bartlett  Landiu-.  northeast  from  Lake- 


i 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  69 

port.  It  is  owned  by  the  Utopia  Quieksilver  .Mining  Company  of  Lake- 
port ;  A.  Spnrr,  secretary.  It  has  not  been  operated  in  recent  years, 
as  it  is  said  they  were  driven  out  by  water,  the  orebody  running-  under 
the  lake. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mix.  Bur.,  Reports  XIII,  p.  597 ;  XIV.  p.  239 ; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  67;  Bull.  27,  p.  70;  Reg. 
of  Klines.  Lake  County,  p.  3. 

Wall  Street  Mine  (originally  Cincinnati).^  This  mine  was  a  pro- 
ducer as  early  cis  1875,  about  which  time  it  was  patented,  but  aban- 
doned by  the  original  owners  in  1878.  The  present  owner,  W.  H.  Par- 
sons, acquired  the  property  in  1898,  by  purchase  of  tax  title  from  the 
State,  and  has  been  reporting  an  output  of  a  few  flasks  of  quicksilver 
annually  for  the  past  twelve  years.  It  is  located  in  Sec.  1.  T.  10  N., 
R.  8  W.,  on  a  branch  of  Dry  Creek.  6  miles  west  of  ]\Iiddletown.  The 
elevation  is  2275  feet  (bar.)  on  the  road  at  the  retort.  The  property 
includes  the  Kearsarge  group  of  3  patented  claims,  whose  principal 
value  is  for  water  supply  and  timber.  The  old  workings  are  largely 
inaccessible.  The  owner  works  the  mine  single-handed,  with  occasion- 
ally an  additional  man,  assisted  by  a  packhorse  for  handling  ore,  tim- 
bers and  firewood.  The  Wall  Street  mine  is  about  ^  mile  down  the 
canon  from  the  Helen  mine  ore-body  from  which  it  appears  to  have 
been  broken  by  a  northeast-southwest  fault.  Their  main  mineralized 
ledges  have  several  characteristics  in  common  and  are  marked  by  sim- 
ilar, prominent  outcrops.  The  Wall  Street,  however,  has  a  consider- 
able proportion  of  native  ciuicksilver  which  does  not  appear  at  the 
other.  There  is  a  narrow  quartz  vein  in  the  main  ledge  near  its 
hanging-wall  side,  and  parallel  to  its  dip — 30°  SW.  The  vein,  which 
has  a  comb  structure,  carries  in  its  numerous  cavities  and  pores  much 
native  metal.  Parsons  states  that  the  serpentine  from  1  to  3  feet  above 
and  below  the  quartz  carries  some  4%  of  both  native  metal  and  cinna- 
bar in  about  equal  proportions.  The  silicified  ore-bearing  serpentine 
lies  above  the  softer  serpentine  and  carries  the  quartz  vein,  cinnabar, 
pyrite.  and  lenses  of  jasperoid.  In  the  mill  there  is  a  20  h.  p.  Westing- 
house  compressor  (being  a  locomotive  air-brake  pump,  9^'  diam.  x  10" 
stroke),  steam  driven,  which  furnishes  power  for  an  air  hammer  drill 
in  underground  work.  There  is  also  a  small  Chilian  mill,  and  two 
homemade,  table  concentrators,  said  to  have  a  capacity  of  3^  tons  per 
day.  Some  of  the  soft  ore  is  concentrated,  but  the  jasperoid  and  dis- 
seminated ores  are  retorted  direct.  One  'D'  retort  is  used — 14  inches 
high,  30  inches  wide  and  8  feet-  long — which  consumes  1^  cords  of  fire- 
wood per  flask  of  quicksilver  produced.     This  retort  has  a  capacity  of 


'Whitney,  J.  D.,  Geolog5-  of  California:  Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.,  vol.  I,  p.  S9,  1865. 


70  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BI'REAU. 

I 

600  pouiuls  ol  ore  per  day.     Tlic  old  coinpany  is  said  to  have  expended     ' 
$100,000  and  pi-odneed  1-iO  flasks.     The  total  ontpnt  to  the  end  of  1917 
has  been  approximately  350  flasks. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Buk..  Report  1\'.  p.  183;  V,  p.  <J(i ;  VI,  Ft. 
I,  ]).  110;  XII,  p.  3(i2;  XIIL  p.  597;  XIV.  p.  239;  Chapter  rep. 
l)ien.  period,  1913-1914.  p.  07;  Hnll.  27.  p.  71;  Reg.  of  Mines 
Lake  County,  p.  3.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  375;  Min.  Res. 
1907,  Part  I,  p.  079 ;  1908,  Part  I,  p.  086 ;  1909,  Part  I,  p.  552 ; 
1910,  Part  I,  p.  698;  1911,  Part  I.  p.  901  ;  1912,  Part  I,  p.  940. 
Geol.  Surv.  OP"  Cal.,  Geol.  vol.  I,  p.  89. 

White  Elephant  Prospect  (formerly  King  of  All  Group).  Arthur 
Copsey  and  Ed  Rush,  owners,  ]\Iiddletown.  This  uronp  of  2  unpat- 
ented claims  is  in  Sees.  29  and  32,  T.  12  X.,  R.  7  W.,  about  10  miles 
north  of  IMiddletown,  and  1  mile  southeast  of  Howard  Springs.  None 
but  assessment  work  has  been  done  for  several  years.  There  are  two 
crosscuts  of  40  feet  each,  and  some  short  drifts.  A  retort  was  built 
early  in  1917,  but  so  far  no  quicksilver  has  yet  been  reduced.  This 
mine  is  situated  in  a  belt  of  serpentine,  having  a  general  northwest 
trend.  Bad  Canon  Creek  runs  through  the  group  and  cuts  through 
the  serpentine  to  the  underlying  schist.  The  wall  rock  in  the  lower 
tunnel  is  in  places  much  decomposed,  showing  the  action  of  solfataric  % 
waters.  To  the  northeast  of  the  serpentine  lies  a  large  body  of  tuft's 
and  volcanic  boulders.  Howard  hot  springs,  a  region  of  .strong  sol- 
fataric action,  as  above  noted,  is  only  a  mile  distant. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  233 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  61;  Bull.  27,  p.  57;  Reg.  of  Mines, 
Lake  County,  p.  3.     U.  S.  G.  S..  Min.  Res.  1912,  Part  I,  p.  940. 

LOS  ANGELES  COUNTY. 

The  occurrence  of  traces  of  quicksilver  has  been  i-eported  near  Lake 
Elizabeth,  northeast  of  Saugus ;  but  no  body  of  commercial  consequence 
appears  to  have  been  found,  and  no  dcvclopmont  work  done. 
Bibl.:  U.  S.  G.  S.,  :\ron.  XIII.  p.  383. 

MARIN   COUNTY. 

A  quicksilver-bearing  ochreous  material  was  at  one  tim(>  rcpoi-ted' 
at  Point  Reyes,  but  no  commercial  development  has  taken  i)lace  there. 

There  is  an  occurrence  of  low-grade  cinnabar-bearing  material  near 
San  Rafael  (?).  From  samples  shown*  the  wi'itoi-.  it  appeal's  to  have 
been  a  silicified  serpentine,  now  nuu-h  oxidized  and  wi'athert'd. 


'Mill.  &  Sci.  Press,  Feb.  27,  1S75,  p.  130  ;  also  in  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  .^7fl. 


(^L'lCKSIl.VEK    RESOURCES.  71 

MARIPOSA  COUNTY. 

There  is  a  6-inch  quartz  ledge  on  the  Merced  River  near  Coiilterville 
that  has  a  X.-S.  strike,  and  oarries  on  its  footwall  side  a  thin  seam  of 
qnartz  containing  crystallized  cinnabar.  It  is  not  in  sufficient  quan- 
tity to  be  of  commercial  value  for  quicksilver ;  but  it  is  stated  that 
Chinese  between  ISoO  and  1860  utilized  crystals  from  this  vein  for  ver- 
milion. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mix.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  602:  Chapter  rep. 
bieu.  period.  1913-1914,  p.  176.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII.  p.  383. 
Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal..  GeoL,  vol.  I,  p.  230. 

MENDOCINO  COUNTY. 

Occident  Mine  (originally  Amrillo — ?  Amarillo;  also  known  as 
Wise's  Mine).  W.  H.  M.  Smallman,  owner,  560  Powell  Street,  San 
Fram-isco.  It  is  in  Lot  39,  Sec.  6.  T.  12  X.,  R.  11  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  7  miles 
southwest  of  Ilopland,  and  4^  miles  from  the  State  Highway.  It  was 
originally  located  in  the  70 's  under  the  name  of  Amarillo  (the  com- 
pany's stock  certificate  read  'Amrillo'),  but  patented  in  1883  as  the 
Occident.  Local  legend  says  that  the  mine  was  worked  by  the  Mexi- 
cans before  the  American  occupation.  There  are  various  dumps  and 
other  evidences  of  old  workings.  Some  work  was  done  on  this  prop- 
erty in  1875,  and  again  for  several  years  preceding  1907.  The  only 
definite  record  of  commercial  output  is  50  flasks  in  1906.  There  has 
been  no  work  done  since,  except  a  small  amount  of  prospecting.  The 
ore  was  retorted.  IMost  of  the  workings  are  now  caved.  The  ore  is  in 
an  ochreous,  weathered  serpentine  material,  similar  to  that  found  at  so 
many  of  the  quicksilver  mines  in  California.  Opaline  silica  is  asso- 
ciated. The  formation  is  considerably  brecciated.  Some  further 
development  work  will  be  started  this  spring. 

Bibl. :  :\Iix.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  1-1.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min. 
Res..  1906,  p.  492 ;  1907,  Part  I,  p.  679. 


72  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

MERCED  COUNTY. 

The  Staytoii  quicksilver  district  is  at  the  junction  of  San  Benito, 
Santa  Clara,  and  JNIereed  counties.  Portions  of  some  of  the  proper- 
ties are  on  the  Merced  side  of  the  county  line;  but  as  tlie  principal 
groups  and  workings  are  in  San  Benito  County,  they  are  described 
under  that  heading. 


MODOC  COUNTY. 

Modoc  Cinnabar  Group.  A.  H.  Dixon  and  Charles  Kirkpatrick, 
owners,  Lakeview,  Oregon.  This  recently  located  prospect  is  'Sh  miles 
southeast  of  Willow  Ranch  station  on  the  Nevada-California-Oregon 
Railroad,  and  close  to  the  main  county  road,  at  an  elevation  of  about 
5000  feet.  The  country  rock  is  stated  to  be  volcanic  and  the  vein  of 
soft  gouge-like  material  18"-20"  wide,  carrying  cinnabar.  There  is  a 
good  supply  of  timber  and  water  at  hand.  Development  work  has  just 
begun,  and  a  small  retort  built.  Dixon  states  that  the  material  so  far 
tested  in  the  retort  yielded  from  6  to  8  pounds  of  quicksilver  per  100 
pounds  of  ore. 

Quicksilver  ore  has  also  been  reported  25  miles  southeast  of  Cedar- 
ville,  but  there  has  been  no  work  done  recently. 

Bibl. :  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res..  1902,  p.  252. 

MONO  COUNTY. 

In  the  Museum  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  there  is  a  specimen 
(#10340)  of  ore  showing  beautiful  cinnabar  crystals,  from  5  miles 
NNE.  of  Bodie.  The  material  is  high  grade.  The  gangue  mineral 
appears  to  be  mainly  calcite,  and  there  are  some  globules  of  native  mer- 
cury present.  The  country  rock  is  apparently  an  altered  igneous  or 
metamorphic  rock,  as  there  are  a  couple  patches  of  ehloritic  mineral 
attached  to  the  specimen.  In  the  locality  to  which  this  specimen  is 
credited  there  is  a  small  plateau  of  volcanic  material  underlain  by  meta- 
morphic rocks.  There  has  been  no  commercial  development  of  this 
quicksilver  occurrence. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]\Iin.  Bur.,  Bull.  67.  p.  35. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  73 

MONTEREY  COUNTY. 

The  quicksilver  properties  in  ^lonterey  Coiuity  from  wliieli  eom- 
iiiercial  production  has  thus  far  come,  are  a.ssociated  with  the  area  of 
serpentine  near  Parkfiekl  in  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  county. 
Nearly  the  entire  output  of  the  district,  530  flasks,  to  date  has  come 
from  one  mine,  the  Patriquin. 

Several  quicksilver  prospects  have  been  reported  in  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  county,  north  of  ^Mount  ^Mars  near  the  coast,  and  north- 
west of  the  producing  districts  of  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  but  little 
development  work  has  ever  been  done  there. 

Dutro  Mine.  F.  D.  ]Martinez,  owner,  Santa  Maria.  It  is  at  the  head 
of  the  west  fork  of  San  Carpojaro  Creek  in  the  SW.  ^  of  SE.  ^  of  Sec. 
28.  T.  24  S.,  R.  6  E.,  M.  D.  :\r.  Idle  for  sevearl  years;  100'  shaft  and 
40'  drift,  caved. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]\Iix.  Bur.,  Report  XY,  613 ;  Chapter  rep.  bieu. 
period,  1915-1916,  p.  19 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  124. 

Monte  Cristo  Group.  AY.  D.  Cruikshank  et  al.,  are  reported  to  have 
located  quicksilver  claims  near  Gorda.  So  far  only  assessment  work 
has  been  done. 

Patriquin- Gillett  Quicksilver  Mining  Company.  Henry  Ludeke,  Jr., 
owner,  Parkfield ;  Lewis  &  A.  G.  Patriquin,  Nathan  Gillett,  lessees.  It 
is  on  agricultural  patented  land  in  Sec.  1,  T.  23  S.,  R.  14  E.,  M.  D.  M., 
5^  miles  north  of  Parkfield  at  an  elevation  of  2400  feet  (U.  S.  G.  S.). 
The  ore  body  is  a  southeasterly  continuation  of  the  mineralized  zone  of 
the  Patriquin  mine  which  is  above  it  on  the  same  ridge  to  the  north- 
west of  Table  Mountain.  There  is  a  black  'alta'  on  the  footwall,  and 
the  vein  shows  a  width  of  6"  to  3'.  There  are  6  or  7  crosscuts  having 
lengths  up  to  35',  with  a  total  of  150'  of  work.  Reduction  equipment 
consists  of  a  'D'  retort  built  in  April,  1917,  and  which  is  operated  occa- 
sionally.    A  few  flasks  of  quicksilver  were  produced  in  1917. 

Patriquin  Quicksilver  Mine  (one  time  called  Pitt;  also  Cholame- 
Parkfield;  and  Parkfield).  Louis,  A.  G.  &  Mrs.  L.  S.  Patriquin, 
and  J.  AY.  B.  Anderson,  owners,  Parkfield.  This  group  of  four  claims 
and  two  fractions  is  in  Sec.  2,  T.  23  S.,  R.  14  E.,  6  miles  north  of  Park- 
field;  elevation  3000'  (bar.)  at  the  middle  tunnel.  It  was  first  worked 
about  1873,  by  a  Mr.  Pitts,  who  is  said  to  have  produced  60  flasks  of 
quicksilver,  using  a  small  mud-plastered  furnace.  In  1913.  about 
$6,000  worth  of  development  work  was  done  by  a  lessee,  but  no  ore 
reduced.  The  mine  has  now  been  in  steady  operation  since  its 
reopening  in  1915.  It  is  credited  with  a  total  production  of  511  flasks 
to  the  end  of  1917. 


74 


Cx\LIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


The  ('ountry  rocks  nrv  serpentine  jiiid  Franciscan  metamorpliic  sand- 
stone. 'I'he  ore  body  is  a  zone  eontaining  parallel  stringers  of  cinnabar 
with  the  intervening  rock  and  ils  fractures  more  or  less  impregnated 
with  the  mineral.  It  is  in  part  sleckworls.  The  vein  tilling  is  quartz, 
opaline  siliea,  and  ehaleedony,  and  iiuu-h  of  the  serpentine  is  silicified. 
The  cinnabar  occurs  mainly  in  tiie  fractures,  as  distinct  crystals,  not  as 
'paint.'  There  i.s  also  some  metacinnabarite,  pyrite.  and  calcite  asso- 
ciated. There  are  two  ore  zones  with  a  ridge  (see  Photo.  No.  13)  of 
serpentine  between  them,  the  north  one  being  100'  wide,  and  the  other 


Photo    No.    13.      Patriquin    Mine^    near    Parkfield,    Monterey    County.      Mine    on    ridge    in    back- 
ground ;    retorts    in    foreground. 

wider.  The  strike  is  N.  73"  AV.,  and  tlie  dii)  a1)ont  (15"^  X.  In  these 
areas  the  surface  soil  yields  einnahar  by  panning.  On  tlie  south  vein 
at  the  west  end,  an  old  tunnel  in  800'  is  stated  to  cross-eut  six  shoots, 
none  of  which  hnvc  l)cen  drifted  on.  Thei-e  is  anothci-  adil  in  *).")()'. 
500'  of  which  is  ;i  drift.  The  oi-e  of  the  south  vein  is  harder  and  less 
oxidized.  On  the  north  vein,  the  mi(hlle  adit  crosscuts  tlie  ore  zone  for 
over  100'.  Most  of  the  pi-oduct ion  to  date  has  come  from  the  north 
side.  The  ore  i.s  extracted  by  adits  aiul  stopes.  and  the  workings  are 
somewhat  ii-regular,  because  of  following  the  high-grade  shoots  in  ord(M' 
to  maintain  a  i-etoi'ting  grade.  There  is  much  material  being  left  which 
would  pay  to  put   througli  a  large  rurnace.     it  seems  a  pity  to  gouge 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  75 

a  property  like  this  for  a  retort,  when  with  a  Scott  furnace  or  other 
large-capacity  plant,  the  mine  could  be  systematically  developed,  more 
cheaply  operated,  and  its  life  doubtless  prolonged.  Some  of  the  shoots 
have  been  stoped  out  up  to  10  feet  wide.  The  coarse  ore.  being  mostly 
low  grade,  is  sorted  out  onto  the  dump  and  the  fine  ore  with  occasional 
high-grade  lumps  is  trammed  to  the  retort.  Water  is  obtained  from 
a  spring  and  the  lower  tunnel ;  but  most  of  the  mine  workings  are  dry. 
Reduction  equipment  consists  of  2  banks  of  Johnson-McKay  12-pipe 
retorts  (see  Photo  No.  13;  also  Photos  43  and  62,  post).  No  water  is 
used  for  cooling  the  condenser  pipes,  yet  they  keep  cool  except  for  the 
first  2  feet  next  to  the  retort.  This  feature  is  discussed  elsew^here 
herein  under  the  section  on  IMetallurgy.^  AVhen  visited  they  were 
charging  3  scoops  per  charge  per  pipe,  each  pipe  being  charged  twice 
a  day,  or  240  pounds  of  ore  per  pipe  per  24  hours.  The  nearly  3  tons 
of  ore  treated  per  day  by  the  two  banks  was  yielding  1^  to  2  flasks  of 
quicksilver  or  a  content  of  2%-2.6%  mercury.  About  200  pounds  of 
lime  per  week  was  being  added,  at  a  cost  of  $3  per  bbl.  (180  lb.) 
delivered  at  the  retorts.  Wood  costs  approximately  $5  per  cord  at  the 
retorts,  and  an  average  of  1^  cords  are  consumed  per.  24  hours  (less  of 
oak,  but  more  when  using  pine).  The  condenser  pipes  are  scraped  out 
every  other  day — i.e.  1  bank  each  day — and  about  ^  flask  of  metal 
obtained  thereby  each  time.  iMost  of  the  metal  is  stated  to  condense  in 
the  upper  part  of  the  pipe,  and  soot  forms  at  about  a  foot  from  the 
retort.  Samples  of  the  burned  ore  are  panned  occasionally  and  are 
stated  to  show  a  fairly  clean  extraction.  Nine  men  are  employed, 
including  3  at  the  retorts. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  613 ;  Chapter  rep. 
l)ien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  19;  Bull.  27,  p.  123.  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Min.  Res.  1915,  Part  I,  p.  269. 

Table  Mountain  Claim.  G.  W.  White,  owner,  Parkfield.  This  pros- 
pect is  on  Table  Mountain  in  Sec.  30,  T.  23  S.,  R.  16  E.,  about  9  miles 
east  of  Parkfield;  elevation  3000'  (U.  S.  G.  S).  Cinnabar  occurs  with 
opaline  silica  in  serpentine.  Idle  except  for  assessments.  A  12-pipe 
retort  was  built  in  1916,  and  two  or  three  flasks  of  quicksilver  pro- 
duced. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  614;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  20 ;  Bull.  No.  27,  p.  124. 


'See  r>.  257,  post. 


76 


CALIFORNIA    STAI'i:    MINING   BUREAU. 


NAPA  COUNTY. 

Development  work  began  on  the  quicksilver  mines  of  hotli  the  Knox- 
ville  and  the  Pope  Valley  sections  about  1860.  In  the  former,  the  Lake 
mine  (afterward  merged  with  tlie  Manhattan)  was  the  pioneer,  fol- 
lowed closely  by  the  Redington  mine;  and  in  the  latter  district,  the  Val- 
ley mine  (now  a  part  of  the  ^tna  mineral  springs  property)  was  the 
first.  Although  the  industry  has  had  its  ups  and  downs,  Napa  County 
was  one  of  California's  most  important  quicksilver  producers  from 
1864  to  1903,  from  which  later  date  the  decline  was  very  rapid  until 
the  present  revival.  The  available  published  records  show  for  Napa 
County,  to  the  end  of  1917,  a  total  value  of  quicksilver  produced  of 
practically  $15,200,000.  That  tliis  value  is  below  the  actual  output  is 
known,  as  the  product  of  some  of  the  mines  was  included  in  the  earlier 
reports  of  the  state's  production,  under  'various  mines.'  In  fact,  the 
Knoxville  mines  alone  are  said  to  have  yielded  $17,000,000  in  quick- 
silver, while  Oat  Hill  is  credited  with  another  $5,000,000,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  the  ^tna  and  others. 

The  following  tabulation  gives  the  recorded  production  of  quicksilver 
in  Napa  County,  annually  since  1863 : 


Quicksilver   Production   of  Napa   County. 


Year 


Flasks 


Value 


Tear 


Flasks 


Value 


Manhattan  Mine 
output  1863  to  1876 

1862 

1863 

1864 

1865 

1866 

1867 

1868 

1869 

1870 

1871 

1872 

1873 

1874 

187.5 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1880- 

1881 

1882 

1883 

1884 

1885 

1886 

1887 

1888. 

188!) 


3,594 

444 

852 

2.714 

3,545 

2,2.S4 

7,862 

9,808 

6,598 

5,766 

4,098 

4,876 

5,266 

11,705 

9,453 

11,303 

13,127 

10,810 

9,446 

6,830 

7,746 

9.013 

7,784 

5,188 

3.891 

5,656 

6,247 

5,150 

5.402 


$235,876 
16,139 
35,852 
124,573 
162.716 
119,755 
360.866 
4.50,187 
302,848 
330,853 
258,584 
321,475 
423.018 

1.231,1.32 
795,470 
497.332 
489,637 
355,649 
281,961 
211.730 
231.063 
2.54,467 
223,790 
158,234 
119,frl8 
200,788 
2r>l,717 
218,875 
243,090 


1890 

1891 

1892 

1893  . 

1894 

1895 . 

1896. 

1897. 

1898. 

1899. 

1900. 

1901 

1902 

nm . 

1904. 

1905. 

1906. 

1907. 

1908 

1909. 

1910. 

1911 

1912 

1913. 

1914 

1915  . 

1916. 

1917. 


3,934 

4,896 

8,612 

11,505 

9,705 

9.318 

11,411 

12,281 

12,368 

11,696 

8,724 

7,798 

7,142 

7,859 

*o,328 

4.853 

2,.380 

2,500 

2,340 

1.625 

6-16 

140 

287 

287 

240 

.507 

1,150 

834 


Totals. 336,794 


$206,535 

221,544 

350,595 

422,809 

298,016 

372,500 

403,031 

459,753 

472,972 

598,322 

403.500 

388,176 

3l>4,474 

333,006 

199.586 

171,910 

86,870 

95,400 

98,912 

80,535 

29,231 

6,441 

12.065 

11,546 

11.772 

45,224 

107,525 

78,320 


$1.5.190,895 


•Flasks  of  75  lb.  since  June.   1901  ;  of  70 J  lb.  previously. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  77 

^tna  Quicksilver  Mine  (foniR'ily  iEtna  Consolidated,  one  time 
oalled  Pope  Valley).  Lawley  Brothers,  owners,  Calistoga ;  California 
Mines  Development  Corporation,  lessee,  441  Monadnock  Bldg.,  San 
Francisco;  E.  B.  De  Golia,  president;  E.  B.  Frost,  superintendent. 
The  ^tna  group  is  at  the  southeast  end  of  the  Mayacmas  district  near 
the  head  of  a  branch  of  Pope  Creek,  on  the  ridge  separating  it  from 
James  Creek.  It  is  in  Sees.  2  and  3,  T.  9  N.,  R.  6  W.,  2  miles  southeast 
from  the  Oat  Hill  mine  and  9  miles  northeast  of  Calistoga,  though  St. 
Helena  (18  miles)  is  its  railroad  shipping  point  on  account  of  better 
roads  and  easier  grades.  Post  office  is  .Etna  Springs.  The  group  con- 
sists of  Phoenix,  Silver  Bow,  Red  Hill,  Washington,  Pope,  and  Star 
claims,  all  patented.  Quicksilver  ore  is  said  to  have  been  discovered 
here  in  1854  by  Lawley;  and  the  property  was  operated  in  1863  by  the 
Hamilton  Quicksilver  Mining  Company.^  It  was  later  sold  to  Hauf- 
meister  et  al..  then  to  the  .Etna  Consolidated  Quicksilver  Company; 
then  in  1904  to  the  present  owners.  The  earliest  production  was  from 
the  Phoenix.  The  most  important  producing  periods  of  the  .Etna 
group  were  between  1877  and  1887,  and  for  about  six  years  beginning 
with  1892.  The  available  records  credit  this  group  with  a  total  output 
of  at  least  45,580  flasks  to  the  end  of  1917.  The  last  two  or  three  years 
that  the  .Etna  Consolidated  Company  had  the  mine  mainly  prospect- 
ing was  done.  In  1910-1912,  a  small  production  was  made  from  clean- 
up by  lessees  around  the  old  furnaces,  and  the  retorting  of  small  lots  of 
sorted  ore.  Concentration  operations  at  the  ^tna  mine  during  1913- 
1917.  under  the  Soderhjelm  and  Gibson  leases  are  described  elsewhere 
herein-  under  the  heading  of  ]\Ietallurgy.  In  addition  to  their  concen- 
trates, the  lessees  retorted  occasional  lots  of  sorted  ore  from  the  mine. 
Late  in  1916,  the  60-ton  Scott  furnace  was  rehabilitated.  The  present 
company  has  been  operating  the  property  since  September  1,  1917. 

Extended  descriptions  of  the  geology  and  the  underground  workings 
are  given  by  Becker"  and  by  Forstner.* 

According  to  the  latter: 

"The  serpentine  in  this  region  appears  to  be  underlaid  by  sandstone,  being  a  brealc 
above  tunnel  No.  2  in  the  Phoenix  claim.  Tunnel  No.  7  runs  toward  a  basalt  dike, 
which  breaks  through  to  the  surface,  and  reaches  the  contact  at  a  depth  of  from 
800  to  1000  feet.  This  dike  shows  at  the  surface  for  a  length  of  about  1000  reet ; 
the  imderground  works  [in  the  Silver  Bow  claim]  which  run  around  the  dike  show 
it  to  be  .surrounded  by  sandstone.  The  basalt  is  cut  off  at  the  surface  by  the  same 
serpentine  showing"  at  tunnel  No.  2  ;  "but  fi'om  the  fact  that  the  latter  does  not  go 
through  the  sandstone,  the  surface  indications  are  not  convincing  that  this  basalt 
dike  does  not  connect  with  the  main  seat  of  eruption,  having  uplifted  the  serpentine 
and  broken  through  the  sandstone.  The  tuff  surrounding  the  basalt  is  more  siliceous 
and  probably  older  than  the  basalt.  It  overlies  the  sandstone  but  not  the  serpentine, 
confirming  the  above  supposition.  The  tuff  overlying  the  serpentine  has  probably 
been  eroded.  For  some  reason,  in  this  region  tlie  tuff  is  invariably  found  overlying  the 
.sandstone  but  not  the  serpentine.  In  the  Star  claim  another  short  dike  of  basalt, 
about  100  feet  long,  has  been  followed  at  its  contact  with  tlie  sandstone  to  a  depth 
of  600  feet. 


■Whitnev,  J.  D.,  Geology  of  California:  Geol.   Surv.  of  Cal.,  vol.  I,  p.   91,   1865. 

=See  p.   336,  twst. 

"Becker,  G.  F.,  Geologj^  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Mon.  XIII,  pp.  354,  371-374,  188S. 

<Forstner.  Wm.,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California  :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  27, 
pp.    72-76,   1903. 


78  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

"The  ■\^■;lshington  shaft  disclosed  a  boss  of  serpentine,  which  carried  a  sood  body 
of  ore,  wliile  in  the  sandstone  but  little  on>  was  found.  In  the  Phoenix  workings,  at 
tunnel  No.  9,  only  sandstone  was  found  underground  in  the  Red  Hill,  while  tlie  surface 
of  that  claim  is  almost  entirely  co\<"red  by  serpentine  .ind  its  allied  opaline  rock;  a 
winze  simk  from  this  tunnel  follows  a  contact  between  igneous  rock  and  san<lstone  to 
a   depth  of  lOOO   feet. 

"All  the  sandstone  in  this  neighborhood  contains  some  cinnabar  disseminated 
through  it  ;  but  so  far  workable  ore  deposits  have  only  been  found  near  the  igneous 
rocks  and  the  serpentine." 

The  sandstone  in  the  Silver  Bow  is  fossiliferous.  The  writer  has  a 
specimen  from  there  showing  Rhynconella  (?),  on  and  around  which, 
and  disseminated  in  the  sandstone  are  specks  of  cinnabar.  Of  min- 
eralogical  interest,  it  may  be  mentioned  here  that  the  nickel  sulphide 
millerite.  has  been  noted  in  the  Aetna  mine  associated  with  cinnabar; 
also  metacinnabarite,  and  the  hydrocarbon,  napalite,  a  mineral  wax. 
In  the  'Tooth-ache  vein,'  which  is  a  cross  fissure  on  the  Phoenix,  the 
cinnabar  exhibits  the  prismatic  habit  in  the  form  of  bright-red  needle- 
like crystals  whose  color  is  in  striking  contrast  to  the  green  of  the 
decomposed  serpentine  in  the  fractures  of  which  they  occur.  There  is 
very  little  pyrite  in  the  Aetna  ore.  In  parts  of  the  ore  there  is  consid- 
erable 'paint'  cinnabar,  which  is  of  very  light  weight,  being  a  mere  fihn 
on  fracture  faces.  On  tlie  No.  74  level,  there  is  a  breccia  which  has 
been  recemented  by  opaline  silica  and  cinnabar. 

In  the  Star  mine,  the  shaft  reaches  a  depth  of  800  feet,  and  in  the 
Silver  How  the  tunnel  (No.  9,  in  3557  feet)  attains  a  deptli  of  900  feet 
below  the  outcrop.  No.  7  tunnel  (7226  feet  long)  starts  in  the  Phoenix 
and  goes  into  the  Silver  Bow,  while  No.  9  (200  feet  lower)  starts  in  the 
Star  and  is  driven  into  the  Silver  Bow.  It  was  in  the  Silver  Bow 
ground  tapi)ed  l\v  these  two  tunnels  that  tlie  largest  and  most  import- 
ant ore  l)()dy  of  the  group  was  found,  during  the  Aetna  Consolidated 
regime.  Above  the  No.  7  the  vein  was  not  over  3  or  -4  feet  wide,  and 
with  a  steep  dip.  At  that  depth  it  flattened  out,  and  widened  to  20 
feet  between  walls,  extending  to  the  No.  9 — a  veritable  l)onanza.  The 
Phoenix  vein  system  strikes  N.  80"  W.  When  visited  l)y  the  writer 
in  September.  1917,  most  of  the  ore  was  being  taken  from  No.  1  Glory 
Hole  on  the  Phoenix.  There  appears  still  to  be  considerable  ore  in  the 
old  slopes  and  workings  which  will  pay  1o  ]iut  through  the  Scott 
furnace.  Prom  the  glory  hole  the  crv  was  being  trammed  out  and 
hoisted  to  a  large  storage  and  loading  bin.  from  which  it  was  hauled 
in  a  bottom-dump  wagon  (about  4  tons  capacity)  down  the  hill  to  an 
intermediate  bin:  thence  trammed  to  the  crusher  and  bin  above  the 
furnace.  (See  Photo  No.  14.)  The  grizzly  (1"  aperture)  is  on  wheels 
and  can  be  moved  across  frdiii  end  to  end  of  the  ore  bin.  It  is  expected 
later  on  to  reopen  one  of  the  lower  tuiiiiels.  and  drive  a  raise  up  into 
tile  present  point  of  working;  ai'ter  which  the  ore  will  be  trammed 
(liri'd   t(>  the   rurnace  bins,  withonl    reipiiriiig  the  wagon  haul. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


79 


The  rediietioii  equipment  euusisLs  of  a  (iO-toii  Seott  tiiie-ore  t'uniace 
to  which  are  connected  three  series  of  condensers.  The  first  series  is 
of  l)riek.  consisting  of  10  compartments,  each  14'x38'xl2'  average 
heii^lit  ilhc  top  being  sloped).  Next  is  a  series  of  10  cast-iron  chani- 
l)(>rs  similar  to  the  Knox-Osborne  type,  3'  wide  x  9'  long  x  5'  and  4' 
liigli.  the  slope  being  on  the  bottom;  with  an  interior  bafHe  extending 
2/3  of  the  way  down  from  the  top ;  and  connected  by  vitrified  pipe 
(see  Photo  No.  64,  post).  The  third  series  consists  of  2  rectangular, 
wooden  chambers  10'xl8'x9'.     The  fuel  used  is  wood.     The  blower  is 


^m  'J^lt^msmmiim.^ 


.9  *•  * 


ae.' 


Photo   No.    14.      Bins  and  furnace  plant  at  the  .ffitna   Mine,    Lake   County. 


driven  by  a  1^  h.  p.  gas  engine 
banks-^Morse,  type  Z,  350  r.  p. 
just  below  distillate,  at  a  cost 
grade  soot  from  the  condensers 
residue  washed  over  riffles  and 
were  30  men  employed,  miners 
$3.00. 

Bibl. :  C.\L.  State  :\[m.  B 
p.  362;  XITI.  p.   ,597; 
period,   1913-1914;   pp. 
G.  S.,  Mon.   XIII,  pp. 


and  the  rock  breaker  by  a  15  h.  p.  Fair-, 
m.,  oil  engine,  using  a  grade  of  fuel  oil 
of  60f*-70^'  per  8-hour  day.  The  high- 
is  worked  on  an  inclined  plate,  and  the 
through  a  series  of  baffle  boxes.  There 
being  paid  $3.50  per  day,  and  muckers 

UR.,  Reports  V,  p.  96;  XI,  p.  72;  XII. 

XIV,  pp.   284-286;   Chapter  rep.   bien. 

111-114:   Bull.   27,   pp.   72-76.     U.   S. 

354,  371-374;  IMin.  Res.   1884,  p.  492; 


80  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

1892,  p.  148;  1902;  p.  252;  1909,  Ft.  I.  p.  553;  1910,  Ft.  I,  p.  698; 
1911,  Ft.  I,  p.  901 ;  1912,  Ft.  I,  p.  942 ;  1913,  Ft.  I,  p.  205 ;  1914, 
Ft.  I,  p.  326;  1915,  Ft.  I,  p.  269.  Mm.  Res.  W.  op  Rocky 
Mts.,  1872,  p.  523;  1873,  ]).  11  ;  1S74.  p.  30;  1876,  p.  20.  Geol. 
SuRv.  OK  Cal.,  Oeol.  vol.  T.  ]).  91.  Exo.  &  ^Min.  Jour.,  Nov.  1, 
1913.  p.  S28. 

^tna  Extension  Claims.  Chas.  A.  Lawley,  owner,  Calistoga,  It 
is  on  tlie  soutli  side  of  James  Creek,  adjoining-  or  near  to  the  JEtna 
gTonp,  being  in  SE.  ^  of  SE.  ]  of  Sec.  33,  also  S.  ^  of  SW.  J  and  Lot  2 
of  Sec.  34,  also  Lots  1  and  2  of  Sec.  35,  all  in  T.  10  N.,  R.  6  W.,  M.  D. 
M.  In  January,  1916,  this  property  was  leased  to  D.  S.  Llewellyn, 
but  there  is  no  record  of  any  quicksilver  being  produced  and  it  is  now 
idle.  Apparentl,y  only  a  small  amount  of  development  Avork  has  been 
done. 

Bella  Union  Mine.  Bella  Union  Quicksilver  Company,  owner;  AA^  H. 
Hamilton,  attorney.  No.  556  Mills  Building,  San  Francisco;  Rutherford 
Mining  Company,  lessee ;  II.  A.  Broughton.  manager,  Rialto  Building, 
San  Francisco.  This  group  includes  the  Bella  Union  and  Oakvilie 
mines  in  Sec.  20,  T.  7  N.,  R.  5  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  just  on  the  edge  of  the 
Napa  Valley,  1|  miles  west  of  Oakvilie;  elevation  500  feet.  The  Oak- 
vilie was  a  producer  in  1872-1873  (about  400  flasks)  and  the  Bella 
Union  is  credited  with  271  flasks  in  1876;  but  the  exact  total  figures 
are  not  available.  The  total  output  to  date  for  the  group  has  been  at 
least  825  flasks.  The  ore  carries  cinnabar  with  pyrite,  quartz  and  cal- 
cite  in  serpentine,  largely,  and  a  metamorphosed  rock  (possibly  a  sedi- 
mentary) which  seems  to  be  in  process  of  serpentinization.  Chlorite, 
an  end  product  of  the  weathering  of  the  serpentine,  is  noticeably  pres- 
ent. The  cinnabar  is  coarsely  crystalline  and  massive,  occurring  in 
part  as  veinlets.  The  strike  of  the  vein  appears  to  be  W.  of  N.,  and 
the  dip  is  about  40°  W.  In  the  winter  of  1909-1910,  under  a  working 
bond  for  tlie  purchase  of  the  mine,  certain  of  the  old  tunnels  were 
re-opened,  exposing  some  good  ore;  but  the  contract  lapsed  for  failure 
to  continue  operations.  Early  in  1916,  tlie  mine  was  again  leased,  and 
has  boon  oporatod  at  inloi-vals  since,  being  at  present  (March,  1918) 
idle. 

Iji  1916,  the  two  old  Neate  coarse-ore  furnaces  (see  Fhoto  No.  46, 
post)  were  repaired  and  used  for  a  short  time.  This  was  followed  by 
concentration  orpiipment.  First,  tables  were  tried ;  then,  flotation ; 
and  finally,  the  Iwo  combined.  Willi  tli(>  last-named,  the  installation 
included  a  bali-mill.  K.  &  K.  eii'cular.  tlolation  machine,  and  two 
Deister-Overstroin  lablos.  The  undei-llow  of  the  K.  &  K.  machine  went 
to  the  tables,  and  the  overflow  froth  with  its  concentrate  was  carried  by 
a  launder  to  a  sellling  tank.     The  plant  was  driven  ])y  a  20  h.  p.  West- 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  81 

ern  isras  engine.  The  concentrates  were  roasted  in  a  10-pipe  Johnson- 
I\rcKay  retort,  l)ui'nin,L;'  wood.  Following  the  shutting-down  of  this 
plant,  the  retorts  were  run  for  a  time  on  sorted  ore,  and  6  men  Avere 
employed.  "When  visited  by  the  writer  in  September,  1917,  a  Lillard 
furnace  (a  vertical,  continuous-feed  retort)  was  being  built. ^  It  is 
stated  that  at  present  (March.  1918)  the  property  is  idle. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  IV,  p.  336  (table)  ;  X,  p. 
362;  XII,  p.  364;  XIII,  p.  599;  XIV,  p.  286;  Chapter  rep.  bien. 
period.  1913-1914,  p.  114;  Bull.  27,  p.  76.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon. 
XIII.  p.  377;  Min.  Res.  1909,  Pt.  I,  p.  553;  1915,  Pt.  I,  p.  269. 
Min.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1873,  p.  11 ;  1874,  p.  30. 

Calistoga  Hot  Springs.  There  is  a  flat,  semi-marsh  area  of  200  acres 
or  more  on  the  eastern  side  of  Xapa  Creek  at  Calistoga,  in  which  hot 
sulphur  springs  occur.  It  is  only  necessary  to  dig  down  a  foot  or  two 
anywhere  in  this  area  to  get  hot  water.  In  places,  the  mud  is  said  to 
have  shown  native  quicksilver  on  panning.^ 

Corona  Mine.  Vallejo  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  owner;  J.  B. 
McCauley.  president;  E.  J.  ]McCauley,  secretary,  409  Carolina  St., 
Vallejo.  It  is  in  Sees.  32  and  33,  T.  10  X.,  R.  6  W.,  9  milas  southeast 
of  Middletown,  between  the  Oat  Hill  mine  on  the  northeast  and  Twin 
Peaks  mine  on  the  south;  elevation,  2200  feet  (barometric  reading). 
The  Corona  was  opened  up  in  1895,  but  closed  down  in  1906,  follow- 
ing a  heavy  winter,  being  driven  out  by  w^ater  in  excess  of  the  pumping 
capacity.  They  also  had  furnace  troubles  on  account  of  the  large 
amount  of  pyrite  occurring  with  the  cinnabar.  The  pyrite  rendered 
the  ore  self-burning,  making  it  difficult  to  regulate  the  furnace  temper- 
atures, and  the  condensing.  A  white  powder  (probably  sulphate  of 
mercury)  formed  as  an  incrustation  in  the  condensers,  the  result  of 
reaction  between  the  released  quicksilver  and  SO3  gas.  This  incrusta- 
tion had  to  be  broken  out  and  retorted.  The  furnace,  of  the  Scott 
type,  with  the  walls  built  in  part  of  volcanic  tuff  quarried  nearby,  is 
of  50  tons  capacity.  The  mine  has  since  been  idle  except  for  some 
production  made  in  1916  by  retorting  ore  taken  out  in  the  course  of 
prospecting  work  during  that  year.  Figures  of  the  total  output  of 
the  Corona  are  not  available,  but  it  is  claimed  to  have  been  approx- 
imatelv  5000  flasks. 


'See  D.  217,  nost. 

-Cal.   State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIII,  p.   514,   1896. 


6— .3S540 


82  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

The  Corona  mint'  is  on  llir  contact  of  the  Oat  Hill  sandstone  and  a 
serpentine  belt  (see  Plate  X).  According  to  Forstner,'  who  visited 
the  mine  when  it  was  open  and  in  operation: 

"The  ore  occurs  in  &  zone  of  black  chert  rock,  lying  between  a  sandstone  footwall 
and  probably  a  serpentine  hangins  wall.  The  general  strike  of  the  zone  is  N.  4.")°  W. 
Three  ore  slioots  sliow  at  the  suiface.  Tlie  development  consists  mainly  in  a  level 
which  enters  the  hill  running  very  nearly  west  and  cross-cutting  tlie  sandstone  foot- 
wall  for  about  4  00  feet.  The  sandstone  here  is  mixed  with  some  shales.  At  4  00  feet, 
the  tunnel  cuts  the  vein  and  follows  it  about  800  feet  to  the  southeast,  and  1300  feet 
to  the  northwest.  The  tunnel  cuts  the  vein  at  the  southeasterly  ore  slioot,  witli  about 
130  feet  of  backs.  The  workable  ore  body  here  is  from  10'  to  15'  wide,  the  cinnabar 
forming  in  fissures  running  through  the  opaline  rock.  Underlying  the  latter  is  a 
white  talc,  wherein  pieces  of  white  and  gray  rock  are  found,  determined  as  plitlianite, 
indicating  that  originally  a  body  of  shales  overlaid  the  sandstone  and  were  silicified, 
probably  by  the  same  solution  wliich  formed  the  overlying  chert  beds.  Tliis  ore  shoot 
has  in  tlie  "past  produced  some  lich  one,  *  *  *  ;  development  work  being  central- 
ized on  the  middle  ore  shoot,  wliich  tlie  tunnel  cuts  at  a  depth  of  350  feet  below  the 
suiface.  A  vertical  shaft,  100  feet  deep,  has  been  sunk  from  the  tunnel  level  on  this 
shoot.  The  tunnel  is  driven  northwest  to  cut  the  third  ore  shoot.  Part  of  the  tunnel 
is  driven  nortliwest  to  cut  the  third  ore  shoot.  Part  of  the  tunnel  is  run  in  the 
sandstone  footwall,  determining  its  persistency,  but  no  crosscut  has  been  run  into 
the  hanging  wall.  A  very  soft  decomposed  material  overlying  the  ore  body  was 
crosscut  to  a  width  of  35  feet,  without  finding  unaltered  material;  hence  the  assump- 
tion of  a  serpentine  hanging  wall  rests  on  surface  indications.  The  black  chert 
wherein  the  ore  makes  is  from  40  to  45  feet  wide;  *  *  *  The  centr.al  ore  shoot 
has  been  opened  for  a  length  of  160  feet,  and  has  been  persistent  in  depth  from  the 
surface  to  the  present  depth  of  450  feet.  The  cinnabar  forms  occasionally  in  such 
hard  and  compact  material  that  it  can  scarcely  be  understood  how  it  found  access  to 
its  place  of  deposition." 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur..  Keports  XIII,  p.  597:  XIV.  p.  287; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  114;  Bnll.  27.  pp.  79, 
206,  207.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.,  1902,  p.  252;  1908.  Pt.  I.  p. 
686. 

James  Creek  Placers.  Several  men,  operating  in  a  small  way  with 
rockers  have,  during  the  past  three  years,  been  concentrating  cinnabai' 
from  the  stream  gravels  in  James  Creek  for  several  miles  below  the  Oat 
Hill  mine  and  in  part  near  Aetna  Springs.  This  material  has  come 
largely  through  erosion  by  winter  rains  of  the  extensive  Oat  Hill  dumps 
during  their  exposure  of  many  years.  Lindblom  Bros.,  leasing  on 
land  owned  by  Mrs.  M.  Patton,  Calistoga,  just  below  Oat  Hill,  have 
been  the  principal  producers  by  this  method.  In  1916,  they  (two 
men)  were  making  as  high  as  30-40  pounds  of  concentrates  per 
8-hour  day,  which  yielded  309^-40%  mercury  in  a  retort  consisting  of 
two  4"  pipes.  Among  those  working  farther  down  the  creek  and 
near  -^tna  Springs  Avere :  A.  IMarro,  Joe  Paulishich,  Bert  and  Henry 
Wells. 

Knoxville  Mine  (Boston,  Redington).  Beiryessa  Cattle  Company, 
owner;  George  Holcomb,  president,  Keno,  Nevada;  C.  S.  Wheeler,  sec- 
retary. It  was  recently  sold  to  the  present  owners  by  F.  E.  Johnston 
of  Napa  who  had  owned  it  since  the  Boston  company  ceased  operations. 
This  mine,  known  for  years  as  the  Redington,  and  later  as  the  Boston, 
was  finst  called  'Excelsior'-  being  owned  liy  the  X.  L.  C.  R.  Alining 
Company.     It  was  discovered  in  cutting  a  grade  for  a  highway,  and 


'Op.   cit.,  p.    79. 

=Whitney,  J.  T).,  Geology  of  Califoinia  ;  Ceol.   Surv.  of  Cal.,  vol.   1,  p.   02.   1S65. 


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•.a^MO    p.  82 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  83 

first  appears  in  the  producing  column  with  444  flasks  in  1862.  In 
1867.  the  company  was  reorganized  as  the  Redington  Quicksilver  Com- 
pany. The  mine  continued  an  important  producer  up  to  1883.  From 
that  time  to  1893  the  output  was  only  nominal  (126  to  881  flasks  per 
year) .  followed  by  five  years  of  prosperity,  since  which,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  1908,  the  production  has  been  small.  The  recorded  total  has 
been  116,204  flasks  to  the  end  of  1917,  exceeded  in  California  (which 
also  means  the  Ignited  States)  by  only  three  mines — New^  Almaden, 
Xew  Idria  and  Oat  Ilill.  It  is  at  Knoxville  in  the  northeast  corner  of 
Xapa  County,  though  the  'town'  is  now  non-existent.  The  mine  is 
mainly  in  Sees.  6  and  7.  T.  11  X.,  R.  4  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  and  is  41  miles  from 
the  railroad  at  Winters.  It  is  north  of  Monticello  and  21  miles  south- 
east of  Lower  Lake.  As  there  is  a  considerable  acreage  of  patented  land 
connected  with  the  property,  it  has  been  used  mainly  as  a  cattle  range 
for  several  years  past. 

The  geology  and  the  underground  workings  are  described  in  detail 
in  several  of  the  reports  noted  under  Bibliography.  There  are  three 
parallel,  principal  veins  in  the  mineralized  zone,  and  enclosed  in  ser- 
pentine. The  cinnabar  is  associated  with  pyrite  and  quartz,  and  was 
often  found  in  columnar  and  acicular  forms,  the  gangue  mineral  being 
principally  a  black  opal,  in  part  resembling  obsidian.  Metacinnabarite 
is  also  an  associate.  Knoxvillite  and  redingtonite,  complex  hydrous  sul- 
phates of  chromium,  iron,  et  al.,  were  first  identified  from  this  mine. 
Sulphurous  waters  in  the  mine  are  said  to  have  caused  trouble  with 
iron  pipes  and  machinery.  When  visited  by  the  writer  in  September, 
1913.  one  'D'  retort  was  in  operation,  putting  through  a  little  sorted 
ore  with  material  from  the  old  Scott  fine-ore  furnace,  which  was  being 
torn  down.  The  ore  was  from  the  150-foot  level  of  the  intermediate 
shaft  (west  of  a  line  between  the  two  older  shafts),  where  a  small  body 
of  fair  grade  ore  was  being  blocked  out.  Three  men  underground  (one 
miner,  singlehand  drilling,  and  tAvo  muckers)  with  five  on  top  (includ- 
ing foreman  and  Chinese  cook)  were  at  work.  Ore  was  hauled  by 
wagon  to  the  retort.  Similar  operations  were  continued  to  the  end  of 
1916.  when  production  of  quicksilver  ceased;  though  some  prospecting 
was  done  with  two  men  in  1917.  Extensive  tailings  dumps  around  and 
below  the  furnaces  indicate  the  former  activity  of  this  mine,  which  at 
one  time  employed  over  600  men.  During  the  seventies,  the  Reding- 
ton Company  had  a  contract  with  the  Comstock  mines  for  400  flasks  of 
(juicksilver  per  month. 

Bibl. :  C.vL.  St.\te  Mix.  Bur.,  Reports  TV.  pp.  179,  261,  289.  317, 
329,  336  (table).  339,  340;  VI,  Pt.  I,  p.  122;  X,  p.  358;  XI,  pp. 
69-71;  XII.  p.  363:  XIIT.  p.  599:  XIV.  d.  287;  (^hapter  rep. 
bien.  pw'un].  1913-1914,  j).  115:  Bnll.  27.  pp.  76-79.     V.  S.  C.  S.. 


84 


r.VLlKdKNIA   STATE   MINING   m'RKAU. 


Mon.  XIII,  pp.  Id  271-290.  46-t:  Miii.  Res.,  1883,  pp.  394-396; 
1884,  p.  492;  1892.  pp.  148,  160;  1902.  \).  251  ;  1907-1912  (inc.), 
Pt.  I.  Geol.  Surv.  op  Cal.,  Geol.  vol.  I.  pp.  92,  99 ;  vol.  II.  pp. 
128-132.  :\IiN.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1867,  p.  178;  1868.  p. 
264:  1871-1876  (inc.)  Trans.  A.  T.  M.  E.,  Vol.  III.  pp.  279, 
285.  292.  :^01. 


La  Joya  Mine.  .James  lu'iniic,  owner,  iilythe,  Cal..  oi-  care  Olympic 
("luh.  San  Franci.sco;  West  Coast  Investment  Company,  operator  nnder 
lease  and  bond.  Howard  A.  Bronghton.  manager.  Rialto  liiiilding. 
San  Francisco.     It  is  in  Sec.  24,  T.  7  X..  R.  6  W.,  M.  1).  M..  (i  miles 


PLATE   XI. 


SKETCH     MAP 

O  F 

La  Joya  Mine  Workings. 

NAPA    CO.    CAL. 

Scale  f  ^^pproxim^fe  ) 


Cs//forni3  SAs/e  Minin<j  Bureau 


Accompsny/ng  Bu/Zef/n  /Vi>  7i3 


west  ui'  Oakville.  by  a  road  wliicli  is  fair  in  suiinnt  r.  Imt  lira\'y  in  win- 
ter. The  property  consists  of  11  claims  and  li'actinns.  all  patented, 
divided  into  two  gronps  known  as  La  -loya  Consolidated  Mine  and  La 
Jnya  %2  Consolidated.  I'espectively  ;  a  total  aica  of  1S4.5S  acres.  Tlie 
Accident  claim  at  tlie  west  end  of  the  first-named  ut'onj)  is  nndei-  lease 
to  Frank  Hooks.  ()ak\'ille.  who.  in  Seplember.  IIMT.  had  :!!•  feet  (d'  tun- 
nel di-iveii.  with  some  cimiabar  showing  in  a  siliceous  ganuue.  The  La 
'Joya  property  had  been  idle  many  y(>ai's.  but  was  i-eopened  in  1915,  the 
present  opei-alors  takim:'  charge   in  .hd.\.    1916.     A   total  of  405  tla.sks 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


85 


of  quicksilver  have  been  produced  to  the  end  of  1*?17,  not  including  the 
earlier  day  operations,  as  those  figures  were  not  segregated. 

The  vein  is  in  a  nmch-altered  serpentine,  bnt  there  is  a  contact  with 
sandstone  nearby.  The  strike  is  uorthwest  and  the  dip  southwest 
rather  tiat ;  average  width  6',  but  iu  the  'Big  Stope'  it  is  np  to  6  sets 
(36')  wide.  There  is  another,  smaller  vein  ir  the  hanging  w^all.  The 
cinnabar  is  mostly  crystalline,  with  a  little  pyrite,  and  the  gangue  is 
largely  siliceons,  both  chalcedony  and  quartz  being  present.  Chlorite, 
characteristic  as  an  eud  product  of  the  weathering  of  serpentine,  is 


Photo   No.    15.      Furnaces  at   La   Joya    Mine,    Napa   County.      Fitzgerald  furnace   in   buildings   at 
left;    Livingston  at  right;   and  retorts  on  bench  between. 

abnndaiit.  A  little  native  mercury  has  been  noted.  The  main  adit 
was  driven  820'  to  crosscut  the  vein,  which  has  been  drifted  on  for  a 
length  of  400  feet.  (See  sketch  map,  Plate  XL)  This  is  at  a  depth  of 
2.50'-300'  below  the  ontcrop.  Ore  is  being  broken  by  raises  and  stopes. 
A  Fitzgerald  furnace  was  bnilt  some  years  ago.  This  was  suppos- 
edly an  inclined  retort.^  but  it  appeared  to  the  Avriter  to  have  been  oper- 
ated like  a  Livermore  furnace,  with  the  flames  passing  along  the  top  of 
the  ore  instead  of  outside  the  ore-chamber  as  designed.  This  furnace 
in  March-lMay,  1917,  was  treating  6  tons  per  day  with  a  yield  of  1  flask 
of  quicksilver  daily.  It  is  stated  that  at  first  there  was  condensation  of 
quicksilver  in  the  upper  part  of  the  ore  chamber,  following  which  a 


=See  p.  216,  post:  also  Forstner,  op.  cit.,  pp.  201,  305. 


86  CAIilFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

blower  was  added.  ]\Iore  quicksilver  was  thereafter  recovered  and  the 
capacity  of  the  furnace  was  increased,  hut  the  stack  loss  was  also 
noticeably  increased  as  shown  by  a  gold-piece  test  of  the  escaping 
gases.  From  retort  tests,  the  ore  then  being  treated  was  estimated  to 
carry  1%  Hg;  and  a  sample  sent  to  the  writer,  assayed  2%  Hg.  A 
12-pipe  Johnson-lMcKay  retort  was  built,  and  utilized  the  greater  part 
of  the  year  1917.  This  treated  3  tons  of  ore,  daily.  A  pipe  was  dis- 
charged and  refilled  every  45  min.,  giving  a  9-hour  cycle;  and  3/4  cord 
of  wood  was  consumed  per  24  hours,  at  a  cost  of  $6.50  per  cord.  Wood 
is  obtained  from  the  surrounding  hills  and  packed  in  by  burros. 
When  visited  by  the  writer  in  September,  1917,  a  Livingston  furnace,' 
calculated  to  treat  20-25  tons  per  day  was  being  installed  (see  Photo 
No.  15).  We  are  informed,  its  use  has  now  (IMarch,  1918)  been  dis- 
continued, as  it  did  not  prove  satisfactory.  In  September,  1917,  24 
men  were  employed,  of  whom  9  were  underground.  Equipment 
includes  a  jaw  crusher  driven  by  a  9  h.  p.  gas  engine. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  2SS ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  116;  Bull.  27,  p.  80. 

Manhattan  Mine  (Lake).  R.  B.  Knox  and  Hugo  D.  Newhouse, 
owners,  819  Pacific  Building,  San  Francisco.  This  group,  formerly 
owned  by  the  Lake  Mining  Company,  includes  the  old  Lake  mine,  and 
the  Porphyry  mine,  and  is  in  Sec.  1,  T.  11  N.,  R.  5  W.,  and  Sec.  36, 
T.  12  N.,  R.  5  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  1  mile  northwest  of  Knoxville  and  20  miles 
southeast  from  Lower  Lake.  The  nearest  railroad  point  is  Rumsey  to 
the  eastward.  The  total  area  is  about  350  acres.  The  mine  was  first 
worked  in  1862,  the  place  being  then  known  as  Johntown.  and  the  ore 
reduced  in  the  furnaces  of  the  Redington  mine.  It  was  idle  from  1877 
to  1884,  from  which  time  to  1905  it  was  again  in  the  producing  list. 
Some  work  was  done  in  1916,  from  which  production  resulted.  The 
total  recorded  yield  of  the  group  has  been  15,979  flasks  of  quicksilver. 

The  mine  and  its  geology  have  been  described  at  considerable  length 
ill  i)revious  reports,  particularly  by  Becker-  and  by  Forstner,"*  the  fol- 
lowing being  quoted  f )-om  the  latter : 

"The  study  of  this  mine  is  especially  interesting  in  regard  to  the  relation  of 
igneous  rock  and  the  ore  deposition.  The  ore  deposits  are  found  in  a  belt  having  a 
general  northwestern  direction,  lying  between  l)asalt  to  the  northeast  and  serpentine 
to   the   southwest.     The   basalt   does   not    show    at   the    surface    in    a   continuous   line : 

*  *      *     The    territory    between    the    basalt    and    the    serpentine    is    almost    (>ntirel\- 
covered  by  tuff,  except  in        *      *      *      [;:;]   places:      *      *      * 

"The  imdcrlying  country  rock  is  an  altered  Neocomian,^  crushed  and  altered  into  a 
material   which    is   found    through   the   entire   mine   in    various   conditions   of   hardness, 

*  *      *      This  material   is  locally  called  'mudrock.'   and  is  found  also   in   other  mines. 

*  *      *      On  contact  of  the  mudrock  and  the  basalt  occurs  a  lireccia      *      *      * 


'See  p.  217.  post. 

=Becker,  G.  F.,  Geology  of  the  (|uicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  U.  S.  Geol. 
Surv.,  Mon.   XIIT.  pi>.   2SL'.   4ti4.   ISSS. 

^Forstner,  William.  Quicksilver  resources  of  California  :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur., 
Bull.  27,  pp.  Sl-89,  IDO.-?. 

'Becker,  021.  cit.,  p.  464 


I 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  87 

"Underground  explorations  liave  proven  that  the  sin-face  indications  in  many 
instances  do  not  represent  underarround  conditions.  *  *  •  One  fact  is,  liowever, 
beyond  doubt  :  Tlie  eruptive  actions  are  intimately  connected  with  the  ore  deposition. 
Throug:h  ttie  serpentine  runs  a  very  prominent  cropping  of  opaline  material,  near 
its  northeastern  boundary,  wliich  cropping  is  almost  continuous  to  the  Boston  [Knox- 
ville]  mine,  where  large  ort>  bodies  have  been  found  tlierein.  A  great  amount  of 
exploration  worlv  lias  been  done  on  tliese  croppings  without  disclosing  any  ore,  until 
recently  a  seam  of  fair  ore.  from  6  to  12  inches  wide,  has  been  discovered  therein, 
about  400  feet  soutlieast  of  tlie  furnace. 

"All  the  territory  between  the  basalt  and  the  serpentine  shows  the  action  of  mineral 

springs,  which  have  formed  large  beds  of  sinter  and  other  siliceous  material. 

****** 

'The  absence  of  ore  deposits  in  the  serpentine  must  be  noted.  *  *  *  i\^q  ore 
deposits  are  all  contiguous  to  the  basalt  and  do  not  extend  to  any  distance  from  it, 
except  in  the  St.  Quentin  deposit,  where  the  cinnabar  has  been  deposited  from 
solfataric  waters,  which  must  have  been  related  to  the  basalt.  *  *  *  Considering 
that  the  Boston  and  Manhattan  deposits  are  only  one  mile  interdistant,  and  that 
from  tlie  topograpliy  it  miglit  be  inferred  that  while  not  appearing  at  the  surface,  the 
vent  tln-ough  which  the  basalt  extruded  in  the  Manhattan  persists  toward  the  Boston, 
the  entirely  different  nature  of  ore  formation  in  these  two  lines  is  very  notewortliy. 

"It  is  to  be  regretted  that  in  no  place  in  the  Manhattan  mine  has  the  commercial 
development  of  the  ore  deposits  caused  the  underground  works  to  be  run  in  a  manner 
to  determine  the  vent  of  the  basalt  extrusion,  or  whether  on  or  near  this  vent  deposits 
of  greater  persistence  in  depth  would  be  found.  The  fact  that  every  deposit  as  yet 
opened  in  this  mine  terminates  in  depth  with  the  basalt,  justifies  the  expectation  that 
such  persistence  might  be  the  case. 

"The  irregular  basalt  occurrences  found  in  the  mine  are  probably  intrusions,  which 
follow  pre-existing  fissures,  joints,  bedding  planes,  or  contacts,  which  would  account 
for  the  lack  of  heat  effect  on  the  adjoining  rocks  by  these  igneous  intrusives." 

There  is  occasionally  a  little  pyrite,  sulphur,  and  stibnite  associated 
with  the  cinnabar.  The  maximum  width  of  the  ore  body  as  worked 
was  100'.  at  the  surface ;  while  the  width  was  6'  at  the  200'  level. 
There  are  3  series  of  fissures :  N-S,  E-W,  and  NW-SE,  the  dip  aver- 
aging about  60°.  There  is  no  distinct  foot  wall.  On  Lake  #4  claim, 
the  hanging  wall  is  sandstone.  There  is  a  shaft  do^Mi  206',  with  levels 
at  106'.  156'.  and  206'.  Equipment  includes:  boiler  and  hoist;  20-ton 
Knox-Osborne  coarse-ore  furnace ;  24-ton  Knox-Osborne  fine-ore 
furnace :  and  a  retort. 

Knox  writes  that : 

"This  mine  has  been  worked  superficially  only,  and  no  definite  ore  system  has  been 
developed.  The  deposits,  usually  largest  at  the  surface,  diminished  In  size  and  value 
with   depth  and  became  improfltable  at  from   2.5'   to   125'   from  the   surface. 

"The  outcrops  were  large  and  open  pits  twelve  in  number  cover  possibly  four  or 
five  acres  in  aggregate  area. 

"The  cinnabar  has  evidently  been  deposited  by  springs  resulting  from  regional 
volcanic  activity. 

"Any  revival  of  this  property  will  demand  considerable  work,  and  a  large  amount 
of  intelligence,  if  an  extensive  ore  system  is  to  be  found  beneath  the  basaltic  surface. 
No  attempt  has  been  made  to  open  at  any  depth." 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  :\1ix.  Bur.,  Reports  IV,  p.  336  (table)  ;  V,  p. 
95:  VI.  Pt.  I,  p.  33;  VIII,  p.  412;  XI,  pp.  71,  72;  XII,  p.  363; 
XIII,  p.  598 ;  XIV,  p.  288 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914, 
p.  116;  Bull.  27,  pp.  81-89.  Geol.  Surv.  of  Cm..,  Geol.  vol.  I, 
p.  92 ;  vol.  II,  pp.  126-128.  :\Iin.  Res.  W.  op  Rocky  Mts.,  1867, 
p.  178 ;  1871,  p.  15 ;  1874,  p.  30 ;  1876,  p.  20.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon. 
XIII,  pp.  282,  464;  Min.  Res.,  1892,  pp.  147,  160;  1902,  p.  252; 
1908.  Pt.  I,  p.  686. 

Mountain  Mine  (also  known  locally  as  Simmons).  'SI.  Johnson, 
owner,  Yountville;  E.  E.  Lillard,  et  al.,  lessees,  Oakville.  This  pros- 
pect is  in  Sec.  2,  T.  6  N.,  R.  5  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  west  of  Yountville  and 


88  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

south  of  the  La  Joya  mine.     A  little  work  has  been  done  spasmodically. 
The  present  lessees  are  planning  to  open  it  up. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X,  p.  362;  XIV.  p.  291; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  119. 

Northern  Light  Prospect.  Fr.  Josh,  owner,  Lower  Lake.  It  is  about 
2i  miles  west  of  Knoxville,  and  near  the  Lake  County  line.     Idle. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  289 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  117;  Bull.  27,  p.  92. 

Oat  Hill  Mine  (Napa  Consolidated).  E.  J.  Sittig,  1216  Oxford 
Street,  Berkeley,  and  R.  P.  Newcomb,  1052  E.  11th  Street,  Oakland, 
owners.  E.  J.  Sittig  and  Earlbert  Newcomb,  Middletown,  have  leases 
on  the  dumps  for  concentration ;  and  Murray  Innes,  Kohl  Building, 
San  Francisco,  has  taken  a  lease  on  the  underground  portions  of  the 
mine.     There  are  17  claims  in  the  group,  all  patented,  lying  at  the 


Photo   No.    16.      Dumps  of  low  grade  ore  at  Oat   Hill   Quicksilver   Mine,    Napa   County,  from 

Eureka,  Osceola  and  Humboldt  veins. 

junction  of  Sees.  27,  28,  33  and  34,  T.  10  N.,  R.  6  W..  :\r.  D.  M.  (see 
Map,  Plate  V),  between  James  and  Bueksnorter  creeks,  and  9  miles 
southeast  of  Middletown.  Elevation:  2250'  (bar.)  at  the  office.  This 
mine  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  important  quicksilver  producers 
of  California,  having  been  opened  up  in  1876  and  operated  contin- 
uously up  to  1909,  when  it  was  closed  by  the  Napa  Consolidated  com- 
pany as  being  worked  out — at  least,  the  ore  had  dropped  below  a 
profitable  working  grade  for  tlie  i)riee  at  which  quicksilver  was  then  f 
selling.  The  records  show  a  total  output  of  152,066  flasks  from  1876 
to  1917  inclusive. 

The  older  worked  ore  shoots  were  on  the  Mercury  and  ^lanzanita 
veins,  the  later  developments  being  to  the  southwest  and  around  on  the 
other  side  of  the  ridge,  on  tlie  Escape,  Eureka,  Humboldt  and  Osceola 
veins.     Though  the  ore  w;is  comiccted  with  the  veins  and  on  their  foot-    , 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  89 

Avail,  there  was  little  cinnal)ar  in  the  siliceous  vein  matter  itself.  The 
values  occurred  almost  entirely  as  impregnations  in  the  soft,  light-gray 
sandstone.  The  lenses  of  ore  were  all  near  to  the  surface,  the  deepest 
one  on  the  Eureka  reaching  only  a  depth  of  400  feet ;  though  the  Man- 
zanita  vein  carried  values  down  to  the  750'  level.  In  places,  the  stopes 
broke  through  to  daylight.  The  largest  single  lenses  were  opened  upon 
the  Humboldt  and  Osceola  veins,  in  both  cases  being  stoped  for  a 
length  of  500  feet.  A  flow  of  basalt  is  a  prominent  feature  of  the  sur- 
face at  Oat  Hill.  During  the  last  two  years  that  the  Napa  Consol- 
idated Company  operated,  the  territory  outside  of  the  zone  explored 
by  underground  operations  was  prospected  by  boring  numerous  holes 
to  a  depth  of  200'  to  350'  from  the  surface,  with  a  Davis-Calyx  core 
drill.  During  their  last  year,  no  underground  development  was  car- 
ried on,  only  the  ore  then  in  sight  being  extracted.  It  is  estimated 
from  the  maps  of  the  property  that  there  are  over  21  miles  of  under- 
ground workings  in  the  mine.  Equipment  included  two  50-ton  Scott 
furnaces,  which  were  dismantled  and  cleaned  up  when  the  mine  was 
closed. 

Since  1913,  during  the  seasons  when  water  has  been  available,  R.  P. 
Xewcomb  and  succeeding  lessees  concentrated  material  from  the 
extensive  dumps  on  the  property  (see  Photo  No.  16).  These  oper- 
ations are  described  elsewhere  herein^  under  the  section  on  metallurgy. 
Neweomb  estimated  that  there  are  in  excess  of  250,000  tons  of  ore  on 
the  dumps  w^hicli  can  be  economically  treated  by  this  method,  and  that 
he  could  handle  at  a  profit  material  carrying  as  low  as  0.15%  quick- 
silver (3  pounds  per  ton).  Being  a  friable  sandstone  with  impreg- 
nated cinnabar,  and  having  lain  out  in  the  weather  for  some  years,  it 
is  more  or  less  disintegrated  and  air-slaked,  requiring  no  crushing;  so 
that  it  is  particularly  favorable  for  low-cost  concentration  treatment. 
Since  the  writer's  last  visit  to  Oat  Hill,  Murraj^  Innes,  as  lessee,  has 
put  on  a  number  of  men  reopening  certain  of  the  old  underground' 
workings  and  exploring  for  available  orebodies  that  will  pay  to  extract 
under  present  conditions.  If  developments  justify  it,  his  intention  is 
to  install  furnace  equipment.  Wood  costs  $5  per  cord.  The  present 
lessees  on  the  dumps,  Sittig  &  E.  Neweomb,  plan  to  carry  classification 
of  their  table  feed  to  a  greater  degree  than  has  been  done  by  any  of 
their  predecessors.     On  the  trails  and  roadways  about  the  Oat  Hill 


^See  DD.  332-335,  post. 


90  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

miiK'.  after  a  rain,  cinnabar  can  l)e  si-eu  L-unceutraled  aniun^-  the  rocks 
and  small  crevices  of  the  water  courses. 

Bibl. :  Cat..  State  Min.  Bur.,  Keports  V,  p.  96;  VIII,  413;  X,  p. 
270;  XI,  pp.  65,  72;  XII,  p.  364;  XIII,  p.  598;  XIV,  pp.  289- 
291;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  pp.  117-119;  Bull. 
27,  pp.  89-91.  U.  S.  G.  kS.,  Mon.  XIII,  pp.  354-358,  469;  Min. 
Res.,  1883,  pp.  394-397;  1884,  p.  492;  1888,  p.  97;  1892,  pp.  145, 
160;  1902,  p.  251;  1906,  p.  497;  1907,  Ft.  I,  p.  679;  1908,  Pt.  I, 
p.  686;  1909,  Pt.  I,  p.  553;  1910,  Pt.  I,  p.  698;  1911,  Pt.  I,  p. 
902.     Eng.  &  I\IiN.  Jour.,  Nov.  1,  1913.  p.  828. 

Palisade  Silver  Mine  (locally  called  Grigsby).  R.  F.  Grigsby,  owner, 
Calistoga.  This  silver  mine  is  in  Sec.  24,  T.  9  N.,  R.  7  W.,  3i  miles 
northeast  of  Calistoga.  It  was  first  opened  up  in  1876,  and  was  a 
bullion  producer  from  1888  to  1893.  The  vein  mineral  is  quartz  carry- 
ing antimonial  silver  sulphide,  with  which  are  associated  cinnabar  and 
pyrite.  The  ore  was  treated  by  dry  crushing,  roasting,  and  pan  amal- 
gamation for  its  silver  contents ;  l)ut  no  attempts  were  made  to  recover 
the  quicksilver  present. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  IMin.  Bur.,  Reports  V,  p.  93 ;  VI,  Pt.  I,  p.  77 ; 
VIII,  pp.  413-415 ;  X,  p.  363 ;  XII,  p.  376 ;  XIII,  p.  606 ;  XIV, 
p.  270;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  98.  U.  S.  G. 
S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  370  . 

Patten  Claims  (see  also  James  Creek  Placers).  Mrs.  M.  F.  Patten, 
owner,  Calistoga.  These  consist  of  600  acres  of  patented  ground  on 
James  Creek,  adjoining  the  Oat  Hill  group.  So  far,  only  the  placer 
gravels  in  the  stream  bed  has  been  worked;  but  there  is  stated  to  be 
cinnabar  in  i)lace  in  the  sandstone  on  this  property,  which  prospects 
are  as  yet  undeveloped. 

Philadelphia  Claims  (James  Creek  prospect).  This  prospect  is 
near  (southeast  from)  the  Oat  Hill  mine,  l)ut  has  been  abandoned 
since  the  death,  about  1911,  of  the  owner. 

Bil)l. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  291;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  j).  119;  Bull.  27,  p.  93. 

Summit  Mine.  Joseph  Scheerer,  owner,  747  Noe  Street,  San  Fran- 
cisco. It  is  in  Sec.  19,  T.  7  N.,  R  5  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  3  miles  west  of  Oak- 
ville  and  south  of  the  La  Joyd.  It  was  a  i)roducer  in  tlie  early  seven- 
ties, l)ut  was  idle  for  many  years  until  quite  recently.  In  1916,  some 
development  work  was  done. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XIl,  p.  im'i;  XIII,  p.  599; 
XIV,  I).  291  ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  119;  Bull. 
27,  p.  92.     I\riN.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1874,  p.  30. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  91 

Twin  Peaks  Mine.  B.  A.  &  A.  A.  Wilson,  and  L.  U.  Pay,  owners, 
Aetna  Springs  or  Calistoga.  This  gronp  of  5  claims  near  Oat  Hill 
adjoins  the  Corona  mine  on  the  southeast,  and  is  in  Sec.  33,  T.  10  N., 
R.  6  W..  and  Sec.  4.  T.  9  N.,  R.  6  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  about  9  miles  north- 
east of  Calistoga.  In  two  years  preceding  1906,  it' is  stated  that  a  total 
of  $40,000  in  (|uieksilver  was  produced  from  a  lens  of  ore.  As  the  sur- 
plus is  stated  to  have  been  all  paid  out  in  dividends  and  none  used  for 
further  development,  the  mine  was  closed  for  lack  of  funds  for  devel- 
opment work,  when  the  pocket  had  been  mined  out.  Except  for 
assessments-,  the  property  remained  idle  until  reopened  in  1915  by  the 
present  owners,  then  under  a  lease.  The  mine  is  credited  with  a  total 
output  to  the  end  of  1917  of  275  flasks. 

The   footwall   is   sandstone   and   the   hanging   wall,    serpentine.     In 

1916,  a  portion  of  the  quicksilver  yield  was  obtained  by  concentrating 
material  from  the  dumps  with  a  New  Standard  table.     In  September, 

1917,  they  had  4  men  at  work.  Some  good  ore  had  been  struck  on  the 
200-foot  (upper  adit)  level;  and  a  lower  adit  (400-foot  level)  was 
being  driven  to  cut  the  vein  with  depth.  Reduction  equipment  con- 
sists of  2  'D'  retorts. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Report  XIY,  p.  291 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  119;  Bull.  27,  p.  92.  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Ann.  Rep.  XXI,  Pt.  VI,  p.  278;  Min.  Res.,  1902,  p.  252;  1907, 
Pt.  I.  p.  679;  1911,  Pt.  I,  p.  902;  1915,  Pt.  I,  p.  269. 

Whitney  Mine,  G.  B.  Whitney,  owner,  Calistoga.  This  prospect  is 
in  Sec.  21,  T.  10  N.,  R.  5  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  in  Snell  Valley,  10  miles  south- 
east of  ]\Iiddletown,  on  agricultural  patented  land.  The  property  was 
not  visited  by  the  writer  but  we  were  shown  specimens  of  the  ore, 
which  is  a  schistose  sandstone  impregnated  with  cinnabar.  The  coun- 
try rock  is  said  to  be  sandstone  and  serpentine.  Development  consists 
mainly  of  a  drift  and  winze,  and  several  prospect  holes.  A  few  flasks 
of  quicksilver  have  been  produced,  with  a  retort.  The  owner  states 
that  lack  of  capital  has  prevented  more  extensive  development. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  292;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  120. 


92  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

NEVADA  COUNTY. 

The  reported  occurrence  has  been  noted  by  Lindgren/  of  gold 
amalgam  in  the  Odin  drift  mine,  and  of  cinnabar  in  the  Manzanita 
hydraulic  mine,  near  Nevada  City.  Apparently  neither  had  been 
definitely  identified  in  place  in  the  quartz  veins  themselves,  though  not 
unlikely,  as  such  occurrences  have  been  found  elsewhere  in  the  Sierran 
'Gold  Belt.' 

The  same  author,  with  Turner-  describes  an  occurrence,  in  place,  a 
short  distance  south  of  the  above  area  in  this  same  county : 

"One  of  the  few  occurrences  of  cinnabar  in  tlie  Sierra  Nevada  is  found  near  Nicker- 
son's  ranch  in  the  soutlieastern  corner  of  tlic  Smartsville  area  [12  mi.  south  of  Grass 
Valley].  The  ore  occurs  sparingly  scattered  tlirough  a  quartzose  and  dolomitic 
gangiie  on   the  contact  of  serpentine  and  quartzite." 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  67,  p.  35.  Report  State  Bd. 
OF  Agr.,  Annotated  Cat.  of  iMineral  species  in  Cal.,  1866.  U.  S. 
G.  S.,  Ann.  Rep.  17.  Pt.  II.  pp.  116.  119;  Smartsville  Folio  (No. 
18).  p.  4. 

ORANGE  COUNTY. 

The  occurrence  of  native  mercury  associated  with  small  veins  of 
barite  has  been  recorded,  2  miles  east  of  Tustin,  in  an  outlying  hill  of 
Tertiary  sandstone,  partly  surrounded  by  the  Santa  Ana  plain.  There 
has  been  no  commercial  development. 

Bibl.:  Cx\L.  State  :\Iin.  Bur.,  Reports  XI.  p.  118;  XV,  p.  516; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  56;  Bull.  67.  p.  35. 


^Lindgren,  Waldemar,  The  gold-ciuartz  veins  of  Nevada  City  and  Grass  Valley  dis- 
tricts,  California:  U.   S.   Geol.   Surv.,  Ann.  Kept.   17.   Part  II,  pp.   116,  119.   1896. 

=L,indgren,  W.,  and  Turner,  H.  W.,  Geologic  Atlas  of  U.  S. :  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv., 
Smartsville  Folio    (No.    IS),  p.   4,   1S95. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


93 


SAN  BENITO  COUNTY. 

San  Benito  County  ranks  aniouo-  the  oldest  and  most  important 
quicksilver  producing  counties  in  California.  It  contains  the  New 
Idria  mine,  which  stands  second  only  to  the  New  Almaden  mine,  both 
in  length  of  continuous  operations  and  in  point  of  total  production  to 
date.  In  fact,  since  the  decline  of  the  latter  mine  from  its  former 
importance,  the  New  Idria  for  some  years  past  has  been  the  largest 
single  producer  of  quicksilver  in  the  state. 

The  total  recorded  output  of  the  quicksilver  mines  of  San  Benito 
County  is  shown  by  the  accompanying  tabulation : 


Q 

uicksilver 

Production 

of  San  Benito  County. 

Tear 

Flasks 

Value 

Year 

Flasks 

Value 

1865 

*17,455 

6,525 

11,493 

12,180 

10,315 

9,888 

8,180 

8.171 

7,735 

6,911 

8,432 

7,272 

t2,000 

6,316 

5.138 

4,425 

3,209 

2,775 

1,953 

1,606 

1,025 

1,144 

1,406 

1,890 

1.320 

980 

977 

792 

$943,617 

346.673 

527,529 

559,062 

473.459 

567.373 

516,158 

538.714 

621,353 

726,899 

709,553 

319,968 

139,000 

2.35,587 

169,040 

1.32,048 

99,479 

82.778 

55,123 

46,173 

.31,263 

35,178 

49.913 

80,088 

56,100 

44,100 

51,293 

35,838 

1892 

848 
869 
1.005 
1,100 
1.335 
3.605 
5,000 
4.780 
3.990 
4.80O 
7.291 
8,180 

±8.480 
7,764 
7.203 
7,675 
9,600 
8,900 

10.800 
9,775 
9,743 
9,719 
6,633 
6,291 

11,110 

11,150 

$34,523 

1866 _- 

1893          

31.936 

1867 

1894 

30,861 

1868 

1869 

1870 

1895 

1896 

1897 

36,000 

46,725 

135.185 

1871 

1898     - 

190.000 

1872 

1899   -          --     

245.000 

1873 

1900.     -  -      -      

180,000 

1874 

1875    - 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

1908 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

1914 

1915 

1916     

242.300 
300,081 

1876 -     _. 

344,251 

1877--.     -      - 

314.000 
279,651 

1878 

262,909 

1879     -- 

292,878 

1880 

1881 

1882 

1883 

1884 

188.5 

1886 

1887 

1888 - 

405,792 
440,241 
488.700 
449.748 
409,596 
390.995 
325,349 
475.370 
1,032.156 

1889 

1890 

1891 

1917 

Totals 

1,057,770 

316,159 

$16,641,376 

*Production  of  Xew  Idria  Mine  from  IS^oS-lseO:  yearly  details  not  obtainable. 
tEstimated  output  of  Cerro  Bonito,  Monterey  and  Stayton  mines,  1870-1877;   yearly  details 
concealed  under  heading  of  "Various  Mines"  in  early  reports. 
JFlasks  of  75  pounds  since  June,  1904:  of  7&1  pounds  previously. 

There  are  three  quicksilver  districts  in  the  couut.y,  all  situated  in 
the  Diablo  Range,  which  traverses  the  eastern  part  of  the  county  in  a 
northwest-southeast  direction.  The  Stayton  district  is  at  the  northern 
end  at  the  junction  of  San  Benito,  Santa  Clara  and  Merced  counties. 
The  New  Idria  district  is  in  the  southea.st  corner  of  San  Benito 
County;  and  the  third  district,  in  which  are  the  old  Cerro  Bonito  and 
Bradford  mines  is  situated  between  the  other  two.  Only  the  New 
Idria  district  has  been  active  recently,  or  has  ever  produced  quick- 
silver to  any  notable  extent,  the  others  having  been  idle  for  many  years. 


94 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


NEW    IDRIA    DISTRICT. 

The  general  geology  of  this  region,  with  particular  reference  to  the 
quicksilver  deposits,  has  been  described  in  considerable  detail  by- 
Becker^  and  Forstner.-  The  nio.st  recent  geological  map  of  this  part 
of  California  is  that  accompanying  the  report  of  Anderson  and  Pack'' 
on  the  oil  possibilities  of  the  region  and  from  which  we  have  prepared 
the  map  presented  herewitli  (Plate  Xll).  with  some  minor  ndditions 
from  our  own  observations. 


Photo    No.    17.      Serpentine  surface  near    New   Idria,    San   Benito   County,   showing   characteristic 

sparseness  of  timber  and  brush  growth. 

The  most  striking  feature  of  the  geology  of  this  district  is  the  large 
area  of  serpentine  to  the  south  and  southeastward  from  New  Idria. 
Many  of  the  ridges  and  slopes  within  this  area  are  characterized  by 
the  scarcity  of  underbrush  and  the  sparseness  of  the  timber  growth 
(see  Plioto  17).  In  such  phiccs  the  serpentine  is  light  colored,  pale 
blue  and  green,  and  pulverulent.  In  other  portions  of  this  .serpentine 
area  where  the  reddish  eoloi-  of  the  soil  indicates  the  presence  of  iron, 
tlie  underbru.sh  is  fairly  abundant.     This  is   paiiicularly  the  case  on 


'Beckor.  G.  F.,  OeoloKV  of  tlio  quicksilver  deposit.-?  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  U.  S.  Geol. 
Survey.,  Mon.  XTII.  pp.   fi4.   1S9.   ^2^:K  2in-.''.n!).   4f)r>-4fi7.   ISSS. 

=Forstner,  Willi.im,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur., 
Bull.   27.  pp.    12.">-12tt.   1!tn3. 

"Ander.son,  R..  &  Pack.  R.  W..  Geolosy  and  oil  resources  of  the  west  border  of  the 
."^an  .loariuin  Vallev  north  of  Coalinga,  California :  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv..  Bull.  603, 
pp.  206.  rt  scq.,  191, "5. 


PLATE   XII. 


GEOLOGIC    MAP  OF 

NEW    IDRIA  DISTRICT 

SAN    BENITO  CO..  CAL. 


Sca/e   of  miles. 


(Affer    i/SGS.    with    addifions    by  the   aufhors.) 

LEGEND 


Tej 


TV 


Efchego/n 
^-v  Jacalitos 


Vaqueros 


Tk 


Kreyenha-       ^^ 
gen  sna/e    I 


Martinez 


Moreno 


Ttj 


Tejon 


Tmc 


J  Cantua  %^^J>     Panache 

sandstone.)  w^jjI^ 


Franciscan 


Serpentine 


1916 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  95 

the  westt-ni  slope  of  Sampson  Peak  where  the  magnesite  deposits  are 
being  worked.  In  the  gravels  of  many  of  the  stream  beds  in  this  area, 
chromite  float  and  sands  are  noticeable.  Some  commercial  shipments 
have  been  made  of  such  ehromite  float  gathered  together;  but  thus  far 
no  bodies  of  workable  size  in  place  have  been  reported.  Most  of  the 
smaller  quicksilver  properties  in  the  New  Idria  district  are  within  this 
serpentine  area.  The  Aurora  mine,  a  mile  south  of  the  New  Idria 
mine,  is  just  within  tlie  boundary  of  the  serpentine,  being  not  over  ^ 
mile  from  the  contact. 

In  contact  with  the  serpentine  along  its  northern  edge,  is  a  tongue 
of  Franciscan  shale  and  sandstone,  this  being  covered  to  the  north  and 
east  l>y  the  overlying  Panoche  formation,  a  member  of  the  Chico  group 
of  the  Upper  Cretaceous.  This  latter  formation  is  covered  to  the 
north  by  succeeding  later  Cretaceous,  Eocene  and  other  Tertiary  sedi- 
mentaries  in  turn.  The  ore  bodies  of  both  the  New  Idria  and  San 
Carlos  mines,  the  most  important  in  the  district,  occur  in  the  altered 
and  highly  fractured  shale  and  sandstone  of  the  Franciscan  formation 
near  its  contact  with  the  overlying  Panoche  formation.  The  principal 
source  of  the  ore  in  the  New  Idria  mine  is  the  stockworks  deposits, 
where  the  cinnabar  acts  as  a  cementing  material  binding  together  the 
brecciated  Franciscan  rocks.  Cinnabar  also  occurs  here  disseminated 
in  the  more  porous  sandstone,  as  thin  films  coating  fracture  surfaces, 
and  as  fillings  in  true  fissure  veins.  The  metal  now  obtained  is 
entirely  from  cinnabar,  but  in  a  portion  of  the  earlier,  upper  workings 
a  considerable  deposit  of  metacinnabarite  was  taken  out. 

The  railroad  outlets  for  the  district  are:  via  Mendota,  40-45  miles 
to  the  northeastward,  and  via  Tres  Pinos  about  55  miles  to  the  north- 
west. For  the  mines  at  the  southern  end  of  the  district,  near  Hernan- 
dez, the  rail  outlet  is  via  either  Coalinga  or  Kings  City,  each  about  40 
miles  distant  by  the  roads.  Round  timber  for  mining  is  obtainable  in 
the  district  by  contract  with  the  U.  S.  Forest  Service,  but  not  abund- 
ant. The  New  Idria  Company  for  many  years  used  local,  round  tim- 
bers, but  is  now  hauling  in  sawed  timbers  by  motor  trucks  from  Tres 
Pinos.  That  company  also,  uses  oil  for  fuel,  which  is  brought  in  via 
^lendota. 

CENTRAL  SAN  BENITO  DISTRICT. 
The  central  San  Benito  district  is  not  a  well-defined  district  as  are 
the  other  two,  but  includes  a  few  scattered  mines  between  the  New 
Idria  and  Stayton  areas.  The  principal  mines  are  the  Cerro  Bonito 
and  Bradford  which  yielded  some  quicksilver  in  the  70 's,  but  have  had 
little  work  done  on  them  since.  They  arc  in  the  Diablo  Range,  which 
here  consists  mainly  of  rocks  of  the  Franciscan  series,  in  places  cov- 


96  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

crcd  l\v  or  adjaeent  to  yoniiajer  formations.     The  countrj^  is  fairly  well 

t iiiiluTcd,  holli  I'oi'  iiiiiiiiiu'  ;ind  fuel  purposes;  and  the  rail  outlet  is  via 
Tres  Pinos. 

STAYTON    DISTRICT. 

The  Stayton  district  is  mainly  in  San  Benito  County,  but  in  part 
extends  over  Ihc  l)oundary  lines  into  Santa  Clara  County  on  the  north 
and  into  Merced  County  on  the  east  (see  Map,  Plate  XIII).  The 
mines  in  this  district  have  been  mostly  idle  for  many  years,  and  were 
not  visited  by  the  writer,  the  following  description  being  quoted  from 
Forstner's^  report: 

"The  surface  rock  of  this  district  is  prominently  of  igneous  origin  and  except  in 
tlie  northwestern  pait  the  underlying  sedimentaries  are  almost  exclusively  found  in 
the  bottoms  of  the  deeply-eroded  gulches.  The  post-Tertiary  igneous  rocks  vary 
greatly  in  cliaracter  ;  from  very  fine-grained,  dark-colored  basic,  basaltic  rocks,  to 
very  fine-grained,  nearly  white  acidic  rocks.  The  great  majority  is,  however,  a 
light  grayish-colored  porphyritic  rock,  which  Whitney  classed  as  trachyte,  but  which 
closely  answers  the  asperites  described  by  Becker.  There  is  no  doubt  that  this 
district  has  been  the  locus  of  repeated  igneous  eruptions,  and  that  these  different 
igneous  rocks  represent  various  stages  of  magmatic  differentiation. 

"The  sedimentary  rocks  belong  to  the  metamorphic  series,  prominently  sandstones. 
*  *  *  Some  shales  are  also  exposed,  *  *  *  Only  at  one  place  in  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  district,  in  the  old  Comstock  property,  is  an  exposure  of  serpentine 
noted,  and  this  not  over  1000  feet  wide,  abutting  to  the  west  against  schist  and  to 
the  east  against  a  flow  of  basalt. 

"There  are  no  hot  springs  in  the  district,  but  in  the  western  belt,  sulphur  emana- 
tions principall.v  carrying  antimonious  ores,  are  very  prominent,  and  the  ledge 
matter  and  part  of  the  wall  rocks  in  all  the  metalliferous  deposits  have  been  so 
thorouglily  leached  by  sulphurous  waters  that  determination  of  tlieir  original  com- 
position is  extremely  difficult,  if  not  impossible." 

The  district  is  15  miles  from  the  railroad  at  Hollister.  The  vicinity 
is  practically  devoid  of  mining  timber,  but  there  is  ample  wood  for 
fuel.  The  following  claims  correspond  to  the  numbers  appearing  on 
the  map  of  the  district:  1.  Santa  Cruz;  2.  Mariposa;  3.  Green  Val- 
ley; 4.  F.  Smith;  5.  Cold  Springs;  6.  McLeod;  7.  Badger;  8.  Fair- 
play;  9.  Santa  Clara;  10.  Pacific;  11.  Last  Chance;  12.  North  Star; 
13.  Stayton. 

Alpine  Quicksilver  Mining  Company  (one  lime  called  the  Esmer- 
alda Quicksilver  Mining-  Company).  H.  B.  Leonard,  manager,  San 
Benito;  D.  McPhail,  Hollister.  Cal.,  secretary.  The  company  owns  32 
full  claims  in  Sees.  13  and  14,  T.  18  S.,  R.  11  E.,  6  miles  from  Hernan- 
dez and  40  miles  from  Coalinga,  the  nearest  railroad  point. 

These  claims  occupy  the  southwestern  portion  of  the  zone  of  highly 
metamorphosed  silicified  serpentine  which  extends  from  the  creek  just 
east  of  Los  Picachos  Peak,  to  the  old  Clear  Creek  and  Boston  mines  in 
Sec.  2,  T.  18  S.,  R.  11  E.,  M.  D.  M.  They  have  a  total  length  of  about 
1^  miles  along  the  strike  of  the  outcrop  zone  and  join  the  INIouterey 
Group  on  the  northeast.  The  original  discovery  was  made  by  Sil- 
vester Tirado,  who  sold  the  early  holdings  to  the  present  company 
about  1910. 

They  have  since  made  additional  locations.     The  surface  outcrop  is . 
ochreous  and  hinhlv  silicified.  but  as  one  descends  into  the  mine  the 


'Op.  cit.,  pp.   i:?)-].-?!. 


PLATE  XIII. 


Geological    Map   of   Stayton    District. 
Reprinted    from    I'.ulletin    No.    27. 


38:>10    p.  96 


QUICKSILVER   REtSOL'KCES.  \J  i 

serpentine  shows  less  and  less  alteration.  A  slip  at  the  discovery 
point  strikes  S.  20°  E..  with  a  dip  of  70-  NE.  Ore  so  far  mined  has 
been  taken  out  in  bunches  alonii'  the  loeus  of  this  slip  for  an  inclined 
depth  of  190  feet,  alonii"  wliich  the  sliekensided  wall  can  be  easily 
traced.  The  width  of  ore  at  the  outcrop  was  about  two  feet.  No  sur- 
face work  has  been  done  to  determine  the  extent  of  mineralization 
along  the  strike.  The  older  work  was  carried  on  through  a  tunnel  150 
feet  long-  from  which  an  inclined  raise  at  an  angle  of  about  45°  fol- 
lowed the  mineralized  fault  zone  100  feet  to  the  upper  tunnel,  which 
was  only  a  few  feet  long.  Small  stopes  along  the  raise  yielded  some 
good  ore  wliich  was  treated  in  'D'  retorts  and  pipe  retorts,  giving  a 
nominal  output.  A  small  stope  was  also  driven  ofit:  the  lower  tunnel 
and  a  15-foot  drift  from  the  raise  between  the  levels,  but  the  latter  did 
not  uncover  ore.  Later  woi-k  has  gone  on  through  a  new  tunnel,  which 
had  been  connected  with  the  next  level  above  by  an  inclined  raise  of 
90  feet  and  which  is  230  feet  on  the  incline  below  the  outcrop.  In 
December.  1915.  this  had  been  driven  800  feet  in  an  endeavor  to  cut 
the  'vein'  at  depth,  but  Avas  in  serpentine  the  entire  distance.  This 
showed  minor  fractures  filled  with  silica  and  calcite,  but  only  small 
traces  of  cinnabar.  Two  crosscuts,  driven  45  and  75  feet  respectively, 
off  this  level,  failed  to  sliow^  ore.  Work  had  started  on  a  stope  four 
sets  wide  off  the  middle  level  (the  old  lower  tunnel).  This  had  entered 
a  mineralized  lens  and  had  been  carried  15  feet  without  having  passed 
out  of  ore.  The  cinnabar  made  in  a  chaleedonic  gangue  varying  in 
color  from  light  to  black,  and  also  in  the  fractured  serpentine  with  a 
gangue  of  silica  and  calcite,  in  narrow  stringers.  Hand  specimens 
show  bunches  of  grey  and  greenish  chalcedony  carrying  cinnabar,  asso- 
ciated with  lumps  of  magnesite,  through  which  tiny  specks  of  cinnabar 
are  sprinkled.  Considerable  native  mercury  in  serpentine  was  also 
noted  in  this  stope.  This  ore  was  of  furnace  grade,  and  in  spots  rich 
enough  to  retort. 

The  reduction  plant  formerly  used,  and  still  in  order,  consists  of 
8  'D'  retorts  and  2  pipe  retorts,  with  6  other  pipe  retorts  which  had 
been  burnt  by  using  too  hot  a  fire.  The  new  plant,  which  was  com- 
pleted early  in  1916  includes  an  improved  Scott  furnace  of  20  tons 
capacity,  and  four  brick  condensers.  The  bricks  w^ere  burned  at  a  clay 
bed  on  the  stream  four  miles  from  the  mine,  and  heavy  Avork  was 
encountered  in  hauling  them  to  the  furnace  site.  This  plant  was  oper- 
ated for  several  months  up  to  November,  1916.  since  which  it  has  been 
closed  down,  except  for  a  few  weeks  in  the  summer  of  1917.  The  total 
recorded  output  of  the  Alpine  mine  has  been  408  flasks  to  the  end  of 
1917. 


7— 3.S540 


98  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

This  district  is  handicapped  by  having  roads  which  become  nearly 
impassable  after  a  rain,  and  mining  development  is  bonnd  to  be 
retarded  by  the  difficulty  and  cost  of  transportation.  The  furnace  is 
located  at  an  elevation  of  3GU0  feet  (U.  S.  G.  S.).  The  country  is 
entirely  serpentine,  with  the  characteristic  sparse  growth  of  brush  and 
only  scattered  pine  timber.  The  company  obtains  timber  from  its  own 
land,  and  pine  wood  for  fuel  cut  near])y  at  a  cost  of  .$8  to  $9  per  cord, 
delivered.  A  few  men  are  at  work  on  development,  and  report  a  new 
shoot  of  ore  encountered,  which  promises  well. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Keport  XV,  pp.  649-651 ;  Chapter 
rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  pp.  55-57. 

Andy  Johnson  and  Fourth  of  July  Mines  (Flint  Group).  Thomas 
Flint,  owner,  Jlollister;  0.  A.  Austin,  et  al.,  lessees,  fll85  Busch  Ave., 
Hanchett  Park,  San  Jose.  This  group  comprises  the  old  mines  known 
as  the  Andy  Johnson,  Fourth  of  July,  and  Clear  Creek,  and  consists 
of  552  acres  of  patented  land  in  Sees.  2,  11,  12  and  13,  T.  18  S.,  R.  11 
E.,  and  Sec.  18,  T.  18  S.,  R.  12  E.,  M.  D.  M.  The  Clear  Creek,  and 
Andy  Johnson  (and  the  adjacent  IMonterey  Group  of  the  Esmeralda 
company)  occupy  the  northwestern  portion  of  the  prominent  zone  of 
ochreous,  silicified  croppings  which  strike  northwest  from  the  Hernan- 
dez (Los  Picaclies)  mine.  They  lie  adjacent  to  Clear  Creek,  taking  in 
the  hills  to  an  elevation  of  about  3700  feet  (barometric  reading)  and 
600  feet  above  the  creek.  The  Andy  Johnson  claim  adjoins  the 
recently  located  Capitola  on  the  southeast,  where  some  very  rich  sur- 
face ore  is  being  retorted.  These  properties  have  been  idle  so  long 
that  definite  data  concerning  them  is  not  obtainable.  The  Andy  John- 
son, according  to  INIr.  Flint,  was  worked  by  an  open  cut  and  was  noted 
for  the  amount  of  native  mercury  yielded,  as  much  as  a  pint  being 
taken  at  times  from  one  spot.  The  Clear  Creek  mine  was  oper- 
ated through  a  tunnel  600  feet  long,  from  which  underground  oper- 
ations on  rather  an  extensive  scale  revealed  good  ore.  All  these  work- 
ings caved  in  years  ago.  A  furnace  for  I'educing  the  ore  was  oper- 
ated on  the  bank  of  Clear  Creek  near  the  junction  of  the  Alpine  and 
New  Idria  roads,  but  this  also  has  long  since  fallen  to  ruin,  and  defin- 
ite information  concerning  the  output  of  mercury  fi-om  it  is  not  to  !)e 
had.  The  mines  were  closed  in  tlie  early  eighties  Avhen  the  price  ol' 
quicksilver  was  so  low  as  to  practically  prohibit  mining.  It  is  believed 
that  workal)le  ore  remains  in  these  properties.  Most  of  the  ground 
has  not  been  thoroughly  explored,  and  in  view  of  the  showings  of  ore 
in  other  near-by  mines  on  the  same  series  of  out-eroppings,  it  aj^pears 
as  though  thorough  prospecting  would  hr  justified  on  these  lioldings. 
Values  of  $1.50  to  .$2  per  ton,   in  gohl,  are  reported  from  assays  of 


QUICKSITA'ER    RKSOURCES.  99 

samples  of  the  ore.  The  country  is  mantled  by  serpentine  in  deeply 
disintegrated  and  rounded  knolls,  carrying-  little  vegetation  except 
along  the  watercourses.  A  fairly  good  road  reaches  the  mines  from 
Hernandez.  5  miles  distant. 

In  1916,  the  lessees  built  a  Johnson-^NIcKay  retort,  and  made  a  few 
flasks  of  quicksilver.  They  did  some  exploratory  work  and  reopened 
portions  of  both  the  Andy  Johnson  and  the  Fourth  of  July  mines,  up 
to  November,  1917,  some  ore  being  taken  out  and  retorted.  At  present 
idle. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]\Iin.  Bur.,  Report  XY,  p.  654;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  60;  Bull.  27,  pp.  131,  137,  138. 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  309.  Geoi..  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Geol.  vol. 
II.  p.  123. 

Aurora  Group  (one  time  called  Morning  Star  Mine),  and  Monterey 
Group  (one  time  called  Boston),  owned  by  the  Esmeralda  Quicksilver 
^Mining  Co.,  Richard  Phelan,  president;  R.  W.  Gilloghy,  secretary; 
II.  T.  Hays,  engineer;  office,  942  Phelan  Bldg.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
The  two  groups  consist  of  a  total  of  38  claims,  the  Aurora  being  in 
Sec.  5,  T.  18  S..  R.  12  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  and  the  IMonterey  Group  mainly 
in  Sec.  12,  but  extending  into  Sees.  11.  13  and  14,  T.  18  S.,  R.  11  E., 
5  miles  southeast  of  Idria,  and  just  north  of  the  Alpine  mine.  Both 
groups  are  within  the  serpentine  area.  Only  a  small  amount  of  devel- 
opment work  has  been  done  on  the  ^Monterey,  which  it  is  stated  wnll  be 
.equipped  and  worked  in  conjunction  with  the  Aurora.  In  the  latter 
the  principal  development  is  an  adit,  in  between  300'  and  400'  and  a 
raise  connecting  with  the  surface,  where  there  are  several  open  cuts. 
The  cinnabar  occurs  in  a  vein-tilling  of  chalcedonic  silica  dark  green  to 
white  in  color.  The  croppings  have  a  course  of  S.  15°  E.  Though  said 
to  have  been  discovered  in  1853,  it  has  been  worked  only  at  irregular 
intervals.  In  1911  a  revolving  furnace,  similar  to  a  cement  kiln  (see 
Photo  X0..I8),  was  installed,  but  owing  to  mechanical  difficulties  it  was 
operated  only  one  day.  The  flue  connections  leading  to  the  condensers 
can  be  seen  at  the  upper  end.  In  October,  1915,  the  furnace  was 
repaired  and  refitted,  and  operated  for  a  few  weeks,  until  severe  win- 
ter storms  damaged  the  roads  from  ]Mendota,  cutting  off  the  supply  of 
fuel  oil.  Operations  have  not  since  been  resumed  except  for  a  short 
period  of  prospecting  work  in  the  open-cuts  in  July,  1917.  The  capac- 
ity is  stated  to  be  50  tons  per  day.  According  to  J.  H.  Eggers,^  who 
superintended  the  work  at  that  time,  the  ore  was  crushed  to  ^  inch, 
ai.d  passed  througli  the  furnace  in  9  minutes.     This  he  considers  too 


'Personal  conversation  with  the  autlior. 


lUO 


CALIFOUNIA   STATE   MINIX(;    BIHKAU 


short  a  time,  as  tlie  furnace  should  he  lonjior  and  set  on  a  flatter  pitcl). 
During  these  latest  operations,  ore  was  quarried  from  the  outcrop. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV.  p.  652 ;  Chapter  rep. 

bien.  period.  1015-1916,  pp.  57-58;  Bull.  27,  p.  131.      Min.  Res. 

W.  OF  Rocky  Wrs.,  1874.  p.  381.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  :\ron.  XIII,  pp. 

309,  466;  ]\Iin.   Res.   1914.   Pt.   T.   ]).   326;   1915.  Pt.   I.   p.   269. 

Geol.  Surv.  op  Cal.,  Geol.  vol.  11.  p.  12(». 


■«!V 


'Mikf 


Photo   No.    18.      Rotary   furnace,   Aurora   Mine,    San   Benito   County. 

Benta  Group,  in  Sees.  20  and  29,  T.  18  S.,  R.  12  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  was 
located  in  1913  hy  IM.  G.  Ramirez  and  S.  Tirado.  of  Hernandez.  There 
are  two  claims  in  the  group,  which  joiii.s  the  Ramirez  or  Los  Picachos 
claims  on  the  southwest.  The  claims  are  on  the  same  series  of  highly 
siliceous  cropping.s  which  sh(»\v  so  prominently  on  the  Ramirez  prop- 
erty, lint  the  serpent iiie  appears  less  silicilied.  Only  the  annual  assess- 
ment work  has  been  done  so  far.  A  little  cinnabar  has  been  found, 
occurring  in  veinlets  with  silica  in  the  serpentine  fractures.  It  is  in 
the  Monterey  National  Foi-est.  reached  only  by  tJ-ail. 

P.ibl.:  Cal.   Statk   .Mix.    P»i'k..  Reitoi't    XV.   p.   (i52;  Chapter  rep. 
i)ien.   |)ei'i(i(i.  1915-1!)1(),  p.  58. 

Bonanza  Group.  P>onanza  Quicksilver  ]\Iining  Co.,  owner;  S.  H. 
Bauman,    president,    llernaiulez.     ^1.   G.   Ramirez   and   Ramon  Tirado, 


QUICKSIIA'KR   RESOURCES.  101 

of  Hernandc/.,  m.-ulc  locations  here  on  two  claims,  naiiiinii'  lliciii  1he 
Jk)iianza  1  and  2  in  tlic  winter  oC  lill-'x  There  is  no  variation  in 
geolo.ii'y  from  the  other  ])roperties  near-by,  except  that  these  claims 
are  a  little  away  from  the  line  of  croppings  and  exhibit  a  less  highly 
siliciHed  serpentine.  They  lie  just  southwest  of  the  Benta  claims,  in 
Sec.  29,  T.  18  S.,  R.  12  E.,  in  the  IMonterey  National  Forest  and  are 
accessible  only  by  trail,  a  distance  of  2.]  miles  from  the  Florence  Mack, 
o)-  T)  miles  southeast  of  the  Alpine  mine.  An  adit  has  been  driven  in 
about  60  feet,  and  is  reported  to  have  crosscut  a  promising  looking 
body  of  ore.  A  few  men  are  at  present  employed  on  development 
work. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  653 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  59. 

Bradford  Mine  (Cerro  Gordo).  J.  F.  Tatham,  lessee,  Almaden  Road, 
Los  Gatos.  It  is  in  Sees.  3,  4,  and  9,  T.  15  S.,  R.  8  E.,  M.  D.  M..  on 
Tres  Pines  Creek  about  5  miles  each  of  Emmett;  and  18  miles  from 
Tres  Pinos.  Cinnabar  was  discovered  here  in  1859  as  an  incident  to 
the  construction  of  a  road  from  Tres  Pinos  to  the  New  Idria  mines; 
and  for  a  inimber  of  years  various  prospecting  and  development  work 
was  done.  It  is  at  the  contact  of  a  belt  of  sandstone  on  the  west,  and 
serpentine  to  the  east,  both  having  a  northwesterly  strike.  The  west- 
ern part  of  the  serpentine  consists  of  a  highly  silicified  belt  of  varying 
width,  in  part  opaline  rock,  carrying  some  cinnabar.  Between  this 
belt  and  the  sandstone  is  a  wide  belt  of  black  gouge,  and  at  least  one 
other  belt  of  black  gouge  has  been  found  in  tunnel  No.  2  in  the  silici- 
fied serpentine.  An  incline  shaft,  following  the  contact  of  the  opalized 
serpentine  with  the  underlying  gouge,  was  sunk  200  feet.  At  160  feet 
vertically  below  the  collar  of  the  shaft,  a  tunnel  was  driven  in  535  feet, 
and  connected  by  a  raise  to  the  shaft.  No  defined  orebod.y  was  found, 
but  the  serpentine  is  stated  to  carry  some  cinnabar  throughout.  The 
surrounding  country  is  well  timbered.  There  has  been  no  production 
in  recent  years. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  653;  Chapter  rep 
bien.  period,  1915-1916.  p.  59;  Bull.  27,  pp.  131-133. 

Butts  Mine.  Wm.  Butts,  owner,  Pine  Rock,  via  Tres  Pinos;  Geo. 
Kline,  lessee,  Pine  Rock.  Located  in  Sec.  4,  T.  16  S.,  R.  8  E.,  M.  D. 
^[.,  21  miles  south  of  Tres  Pinos.  The  old  workings  of  this  mine, 
wliicli  have  been  abandoned  for  years,  produced  only  a  small  amount 
of  mercury.  The  new  workings,  which  have  recently  yielded  some 
metal  are  located  about  -|  mile  north  of  the  old  mine.  An  open  cut 
and  tunnel  totalling  75  feet,  driven  some  time  ago  l)v  Kline,  in   wliieli 


102  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BlREAir. 

it  is  reported  tlial  liooil  ore  \v;i.s  fouiid.  have  caved  in.  A  tiimn'l  atul 
()]n'n  (111  totaling  60  feet  have  been  driven  above  this  caved  ground 
and  al)()iit  20  f(M't  lidow  the  oiilci-oi).  Tliis  lias  ciil  dia'^onally  across 
a  chert  and  sandstone  breccia  which  carries  ore  for  a  width  of  about 
18  inches.  Cinnabar  and  metacinnabarite  occur  in  the  cementing 
material  of  the  breccia  witli  a  calcite  gangue.  The  work  done  is  not 
sufficient  to  show  conclusively  that  the  deposit  is  in  place  and  there  is 
only  one  outcrop  of  the  cinnabar-bearing  breccia,  but  the  strike  of  N, 
35°  W.,  and  dip  of  about  60°  NE.  (as  closely  as  they  can  be  measured 
in  the  shallow  workings)  agree  with  the  general  run  of  the  country 
rocks  and  appear  to  confirm  the  supposition  that  the  deposit  is  in  place 
and  not  fragmental.  The  claim  is  at  an  elevation  of  about  2300  feet, 
with  sandstone  and  shale  country  rock  and  metamorphics  derived  from 
these  sediments. 

Reduction  is  carried  on  in  a  'D'  retort.  Two  men  are  occasionally 
employed.  In  December,  1915,  one  man  produced  a  flask  of  mercury 
in  19  days,  working  alone  and  carrying  the  ore  on  his  back  some  dis- 
tance to  the  retort.  Wood  for  fuel  is  available,  but  there  is  little  min- 
ing timber  near-by. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  653 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916.  p.  59 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  133. 

Cannon  Mine.  A.  C.  Cannon,  formerly  owner,  Emmett.  It  is  in 
Sec.  4,  T.  15  S.,  R.  8  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  north  of  and  adjacent  to  the  Brad- 
ford mine,  being  on  the  same  line  of  croppings.  Some  development 
work  was  done  years  ago.  but  nothing  recently.  The,  serpentine  car- 
ries cinnal)ar,  but  no  shoot  of  payable  ore  was  found. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XY,  p.  6'A:  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916.  p.  60;  Bull.  27,  p.  133. 

Cerro  Benito  Mine.  Cerro  Bonito  Quicksilver  Mining  Company, 
owner;  Thos.  Flint,  president,  Hollister;  N.  C.  Briggs,  secretary.  It 
is  in  Sec.  31,  T.  15  S.,  R.  10  E.,  M.  D.  M..  30  miles  southeast  of  Tres 
Pinos  and  two  miles  south  of  Llanada.  It  was  one  of  the  early  mines 
opened  in  the  county.  Patented.  A  Knox  and  Osborne  furnace  w^as 
in  operation  here  previous  to  1874.  and  production  up  to  1876  is  said 
to  have  been  about  800  flasks.  The  mine  showed  little  activity  after 
that  until  about  1902,  when  some  work  rebuilding  the  furnace  and 
reopening  the  tunnel  was  done;  but  no  production  since  then  has  been 
reported.  The  geology  of  the  vicinity  is  complicated.  Between  the 
property  and  Panoche  Valley  is  a  flow  of  basalt.  The  top  of  Cerro 
Bonito  liill,  which  rises  steeply,  is  surrounded  by  two  lines  of  blufl's. 
one  forming  the  top  itself,  the  other  from  200'  to  300'  lower  and  mucli 
more  prominent,  especially  on  the  north  and  northwest  sides,  where  in 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  103 

places  the  bluffs  are  100  feet  hioli.  Tliese  bluffs  are  of  a  hard  siliceous 
material,  probably  a  nietamorphic  breccia  recemented  by  silicificatiou. 
Some  black  opaline  rock  is  found  through  this  formation,  and  occa- 
sionally some  sandstone.  In  three  places  the  breccia  overlies  the  regu- 
larly-bedded sandstone.  The  mine  was  developed  by  a  large  amount 
of  surface  work  and  rather  extensive  underground  workings,  which 
are  now  mostly  inaccessible.  The  geology  was  described  in  some  detail 
by  Forstner^  who  states  that  the  ore  bodies  in  the  two  upper  series  of 
workings  in  the  breccia,  were  never  connected  with  those  in  the  under- 
ground works  of  the  main,  or  'sandstone'  tunnel,  and  appear  to  be  a 
separate  deposit. 

"From  the  fact  that  in  the  sandstone  tunnel  cinnabar  is  found  in  the  sandstone, 
it  must  be  conchided  that  the  ore  deposition  took  place  through  water  channels 
cutting:  through  this  sandstone ;  but  the  occurrence  of  the  recemented  breccia  so 
extensi\ely  overlying  unaltered  and  undisturbed  sandstone  is  as  yet  unexplained. 
Tlie  large  bodies  of  blaclv  gouge  (attrition  products),  showing  very  important  move- 
ments in  the  strata  resting  upon  tlaese  same  sandstone  beds,  render  the  explanation 
all  the  more  difficult.  It  is  hardly  conceivable  that  all  this  metamorphic  material 
lias  been  moved  into  its  present  position  by  dynamic  action  finding  its  center  in 
Cerro  Bonito  Hill.  *  *  *  The  cinnabar  forms  generally  in  the  hard,  siliceous 
bi-occiated  material,  which  may  be  considered  the  gangue  rock.'" 

Timber  for  both  mining  and  fuel  purposes  is  available  near-by. 

Bibl. :  C-VL.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  651 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bieu.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  60;  Bull.  27,  pp.  131-137.  Min. 
Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14. 

Don  Juan  and  Don  Miguel  Mines  (also  known  as  San  Benito,  and 
Cody).  AV.  A.  Breen,  manager,  Hernandez.  This  group  in  Sec.  36, 
T.  18  S..  R.  11  E.,  and  Sec.  31,  T.  18  S.,  R.  12  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  on  the 
San  Benito  River  southwest  of  Picacho  Peak  has  been  idle  for  many 
years.  It  is  stated  that  a  company  has  recently  been  formed,  and  8 
men  are  now  at  work,  reopening  and  retimbering  the  old  tunnel.  It 
is  proposed  to  build  a  small  furnace  the  coming  spring  (1918). 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Mix.  Bur.,  Report  XY,  p.  651;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  60 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  137. 

Florence  Mack  Mine.  C.  P.  Smith,  owner.  King  City.  In  1915-1916 
it  was  leased  to  G.  AV.  AVarner  and  S.  M.  Suffron,  Paso  Robles,  but  is 
at  present  idle.  The  holdings  consist  of  6  full  claims,  with  a  total 
length  of  6000  feet,  in  Sec.  32,  T.  18  S.,  R.  12  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  on  Saw 
Mill  Creek.  7  miles  from  Hernandez  and  30  miles  from  Coalinga,  about 


'Op.  cit.,  pp.   134-137. 


104 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


Photo  No.  19.  Old  and  new  prospect  tunnels.  Florence  Mack  Mine. 
The  old  (upper)  tunnel  was  a  few  feet  too  high  and  failed  to  uncover 
the  vein;  the  lower  tunnel  showed  a  fair  prospect  of  cinnabar. 
Photo  by   C.    A.    Logan. 


one   mile   from   the   main    liishway   joining"   Ilollister   and    tlic    latter. 
According  to  Logan^ : 

"The  development  of  the  propert>'  was  done  largely  liy  a  Mr.  Courtney,  of  Hanford, 
who  prospected  it  under  bond  in  l!t04  and  the  following  years.  The  mineralized  zone 
strikes  northwest  and  (lii)S  40"  to  4.5"  SW.  The  tunnels  and  crosscuts  show  a 
stratimi  of  black  clay  shale  or  'mudiock'  about  two  feet  wide,  carrying  cinnabar 
values  near  the  footwall,  which  is  a  fine-grained  indurated  sandstone  or  shalt>.  This 
belt  is  cut  by  numerous  p.N'rite  stringers,  carrying  considerable  cinnabar.  There  are 
three  tunnels  on  each  side  of  the  creek,  but  the  work  was  done  mostly  on  the  left  or 
northwest  side. 

"The  lower  and  chief  tunnel  on  this  side  enters  the  hill  alnmst  east  and  west.  Near 
the  portal  the  first  crosscut  north  about  40  feet  shows  no  ore.  About  '^0  feet  from  the 
portal  this  tunnel  branches,  the  chief  working  running  N.  20°  "W.  A  crosscut  12.'J  feet 
long  east  and  west  shows  stringers  of  small  size,  striking  noi'th  and  south  and  carry- 
ing ciniKiliar.  One  hundn^d  feet  from  tlic  portal  a  crosscut  l.'i  feet  long  was  driven  to 
follow  a  highly  pyiitized  zone  one  foot  wide  striking  northwest.  r>i'ite  stringers 
about  2"  wide,  nearly  solid,  occur  here,  giving  out,  however,  at  a  length  of  C  to  S'. 
They  carr.v  good  fiuantities  of  cinnabar.  l>\air  ore  in  the  vein  was  struck  in  this 
tunnel  at  a  distance  of  154  feet,  and  was  followed  to  a  shaft,   50  feet  farther.     This 


'Logan,  C.  A.,  Bradley,  W.  W..  et  al., 
Cal.  State  Min.  r?ur..  Rep.   1'.)ir,    1!il(;,  p. 


Mineral  resources  of  Montere>-, 

CI,    1017. 


et  al  counties 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  105 

slial't  ami  the  tunnel,  at  a  distance  of  50  feet  beyond  the  shaft,  were  inaccessible  and 
efHoresccnces  cm  the  tunnel  sides  obscured  observation. 

"The  second  tunnel  runs  N.  20°  E.,  100  feet.  It  shows  mudrock,  2  feet  wide,  carry- 
insi'  cinnal)ar  near  the  footwall.  A  crosscut  20  feet  southwest  follows  F'eS-  stringers 
l"'wide  carrvins  cinnabar.  The  main  crosscut  runs  120  feet  NW.-SB.  and  at  its  end 
is  a  small  hole  cut  down  on  the  vein;  a  20'  branch  crosscut  connects  with  the  raise 
from  tile  lower  tunnel.   60  feet  below. 

"The  upper  t\umel  is  40  feet  above  the  second  and  50  yards  west.  It  is  a  crosscut 
tunnel,  exposing  at  the  breast  the  same  2'  stratum  of  black  clay  shale,  but  no  cinna- 
bar is  in   evidence. 

"There  is  a  large  tonnage  of  low-grade  ore  on  the  dump  at  this  mme,  which  has 
lieen  lying  for  some  time  and  should  prove  susceptible  to  concentration.  A  considerable 
portion  of  it  would  make  furnace  ore.  ''  *  *  The  sedimentary  country  rocks  and 
tlie  nature  of  the  vein  filling  distinguish  the  mine  fi'om  those  2  miles  or  more  north. 
It  is  comjiletelv  outside  the  serpentine  belt.  The  old  tunnels  south  of  the  creek  were 
sliort  and  appear  to  have  been  driven  too  high.  The  vein  crosses  the  creek  and  has 
Iieen  exposed  on  the  southeast  side  bv  a  short  tunnel  driven  in  1915  ;  one  of  the  old 
tunnels,  driven  in  1906  scarcely  10  feet  above  and  to  the  left  of  the  new  opening, 
failed   completely   to  uncover  ore."      (See   Photo  No.    19.) 

In  December.  1915,  a  12-pipe  retort  plant,  with  a  daily  capacity  of 
250  lbs.  of  ore  per  pipe,  was  built.  It  was  observed  that  no  water  had 
been  provided  to  cool  the  exit  pipes,  and  the  fire  seemed  to  be  too  hot 
for  o'ood  recovery.  The  ore  is  highly  pyritiferons  and  so  requires 
great  care  to  avoid  roasting  at  too  high  a  temperature. 

Bilil. :  Cal.  State  j\Im.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  pp.  655-657 ;  Chapter 
rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  pp.  61-63. 

French  Ranch,  H.  French,  owner,  Hollister.  This  now  embraces 
Hie  old  properties  formerly  known  as  the  Santa  Cruz  and  Mariposa 
mines,  of  the  Stayton  district,  in  Sees.  20,  21,  28  and  29,  T.  11  S., 
R.  7  E.,  M.  D.  M.  Some  surface  indications  of  cinnabar  here  caused 
prospecting  in  the  seventies,  but  a  little  work  revealed  the  fact  that 
the  cinnabar  did  not  persist,  and  stibnite  was  found  to  be  the  principal 
mineral. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XII,  p.  365;  XV,  p.  657; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  63 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  147. 

Hernandez  Quicksilver  Mining  Company  (knoAvn  also  as  Picachos 
or  Los  Picachos  Mine,  and  the  Ramirez  Consolidated).  ^I.  G.  Ra- 
mirez, president,  San  Juan  Bautista;  A.  E.  Reynolds,  secretary.  King 
City ;  Silvester  Tirado,  superintendent,  Hernandez.  Six  claims,  5  of 
which  are  patented,  form  the  group.  They  lie  in  Sees.  19  and  20,  T. 
18  S.,  R.  12  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  and  are  accessible  only  by  trail,  being  5  miles 
from  the  Alpine  mine  and  2  miles  north  of  the  Florence  IMack  mine. 
The  elevation  is  4500  feet  (U.  S.  (1.  S.).  Through  this  property,  strik- 
ing northwest  and  extending  to  the  northern  end  of  the  Flint  group, 
5  miles  distant,  is  a  wide  and  prominent  mineralized  zone,  revealed  on 
the  surface  by  deeply  altered,  bold,  siliceous  outcroppings,  stained  a 
rusty  color  by  the  iron  oxide  present.  The  softer  parts  of  this  rock 
have  been  weathered  out,  leaving  an  altered  material  composed  prin- 
cipally now  of  silica,  showing  in  different  places  a  great  number  of 
phases — chalcedony,  quartz,  flint,  and  agate.     At  the  Hernandez  this 


]0G 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


zone  of  croppings  is  nearly  ^  mile  wide,  ending  abruptly  about  1500 
feet  southeast  of  the  furnace. 

The  mine  was  opened  in  the  days  of  the  old  quicksilver  boom  by  a 
tunnel  driven  northward  from  the  southern  slope  a  distance  of  3000 
feet,  designed  to  cut  the  ore  exposed  in  the  outcrop  at  depth.  As  far 
as  can  be  learned,  this  work  never  led  to  any  appreciable  production. 
In  later  years  operations  have  been  confined  to  the  exploration  of  the 
outcrop  near  the  surface  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  holdings, 
although  there  are  other  prospects  of  cinnabar  in  the  mile  of  outcrops 


Photo    No.   20.      Characteristic  outcrops;    Los  Picachos  Peak,   Hernandez  Quicksilver   Mine, 

San    Benito    County,    California. 

embraced  in  the  claims,  which  would  seem  to  warrant  prospecting.  The 
present  company  has  been  in  possession  since  1904,  but  work  has  been 
desultory  and  actual  progress  in  development  small.  For  about  four 
years  up  to  1916,  a  small  yearly  production  of  metal  was  made  in  a 
retort  of  four  pipes.  The  ore  has  come  from  the  southern  and  eastern 
sides  of  the  outcrop  near  the  surface.  Inclined  shafts,  one  of  160  feet 
and  two  of  50  feet  each,  have  been  driven,  besides  which  some  rich  ore 
has  been  taken  from  the  face  of  the  oiilcrop.  The  bluffs  a1  llic  riiniaee 
face  southwest  and  stand  up  about  100  feet  above  the  furnace,  showing 
cinnabar  in  iiiaiiy  plates  (see  Photo  No.  20).     The  ore  being  treated  in 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


107 


December,  IDl.").  came  partly  from  an  itu-line  about  45  feet  deep.  This 
had  been  sunk  on  a  knis  of  ore  wliicli  hatl  a  thickness  of  about  3  feet, 
width  of  40  feet  and  had  been  worked  out  50  feet  along  the  strike. 
The  shoot  strikes  X.  35°  W..  with  a  dip  50°  to  60°  NE.,  and  appeared 
to  be  about  100  feet  long  on  the  strike,  judging  by  the  shape  of  the  por- 
tion mined.  In  this  lens  cinnabar  had  been  deposited  in  various  ways. 
It  occurs  with  stringers  of  pyrite,  apparently  occupying  minor  fissures ; 
it  is  also  seen  as  a  coating  in  fracture  planes.  The  most  characteristic 
occurrence,  however,  is  where  a  layer  of  cinnabar  about  1/8"  thick,  in 
association  with  pyrite,  had  been  deposited  from  solution  on  the  main 
fissure  wall;  superimposed  on  this  and  indicating  a  second  period  of 
deposition  was  a  layer  of  silica  crystals  of  equal  thickne.ss.  The  ore 
from  this  lens  had  yielded  as  high  as  150  pounds  of  mercury  per  ton. 
A  fine-ore  furnace  of  4  tons  capacity  with  2  brick  condensers  was 
completed  in  December,  1915.  xV  few  flasks  of  quicksilver  were  pro- 
duced in  1916,  but  the  property  has  since  been  idle.  The  district  north 
and  east  is  sparsely  timbered  and  watered,  being  mantled  by  serpen- 
tine, but  there  is  a  fair  growth  of  timber  to  the  south,  outside  the  ser- 
pentine belt.  Dry  wood  for  fuel  costs  .$3.00  to  $4.00  per  cord.  In  the 
summer  5  men  are  employed. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]\Iin.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  658 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.    period,   1915-1916,   pp.    64-65;   Bull.   27,   p.    145;    Geol. 
SuRV.  OF  Cal.,  Geol.  vol.  II,  p.  121,  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  pp 
309,  466. 

Lone  Star  Mine.  Geo.  Wapple,  owner,  Hollister;  M.  T.  Dooling 
and  M.  Forcade,  Tres  Pines,  lessees.  .Located  in  the  Rancho  Real  de 
las  Aguilas,  18  miles  southeast  of  Tres  Pinos,  near  Los  Muertos  Creek. 
A  tunnel  said  to  be  800  feet  long  has  been  driven.  Rock  purporting 
to  come  from  this  mine  showed  a  little  cinnabar  in  altered  and  iron- 
stained  serpentine,  but  no  ore  in  commercial  amount  was  reported. 
There  is  no  reduction  equipment.  The  country  rocks  are  highly 
altered  and  silicified  sedimentaries. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  659 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  65. 

New  Idria  Quicksilver  Mining  Company.  AV.  B.  Buckminster,  vice 
president  and  general  manager;  home  otfice,  #70  Kilby  St.,  Boston, 
Mass. ;  H.  W.  Gould,  general  superintendent,  Crocker  Bldg.,  San  Fran- 
cisco ;  John  Mocine,  superintendent ;  Maurice  Bowman,  assistant  super- 
intendent; mine  office,  Idria,  Cal.  It  is  40  miles  south  of  west  from 
^Fendota,  and  58  miles  southeast  from  Tres  Pinos.  The  mining  prop- 
erty includes  the  Idria,  West  Idria  group  (3  claims).  Sulphur  Spring, 
Molino.  San  Carlos  group  (6  claims),  covering  240  acres  in  addition  to 


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QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  109 

other  patented  land.  The  ehiims  are  located  in  Sees.  28,  29,  32,  33,  34, 
35,  T.  17  S..  R.  12  E..  and  Sees.  3  and  4.  T.  18  S.,  R.  12  E.,  M.  D.  M. 
The  elevation  at  tlic  office  is  2500  feet  (U.  S.  G.  S.)  and  4000  feet  at 
Idria  Peak,  the  sununit  of  the  mine  hill  (see  Photo  No.  21).  Approx- 
imately 97%  of  San  Benito  County's  recorded  production  of  quick- 
silver has  come  from  the  New  Idria  property,  it  being  credited  with  a 
total  of  306,475  tlasks  from  1858  to  1917  (inc.).  The  mine  has  been 
in  continuous  operation  since  1850,  and  its  total  yield  is  exceeded  in 
North  America  by  only  that  of  the  New  Almaden  mine.  The  present 
company  has  been  in  possession  since  April,  1895. 

There  are  two  main  ore  areas  (so  to  speak),  the  New  Idria  group  and 
the  San  Carlos  group,  the  latter  of  which  lies  over  2  miles  to  the  south- 
eastward of  the  former.  The  principal  output  to  date  has  come  from 
the  New  Idria  though  at  present  ore  is  also  being  drawn  from  the  San 
Carlos  mine  and  transported  by  aerial  tram  to  the  Idria  furnaces.  For 
some  months  during  1915-1916,  previous  to  the  installation  of  the  rope- 
way, ore  from  the  San  Carlos  was  taken  out  through  the  'IMolino  Tun- 
nel.' then  trammed  around  the  hill.  The  portal  of  the  Molino  tunnel 
is  about  midway  between  the  two  main  groups.  This  adit  was  driven 
southeasterly  about  4000  feet  in  length  and  cut  the  ore  body  some  dis- 
tance below  the  old  San  Carlos  workings.  A  raise  was  driven  and  con- 
nections were  completed  early  in  1915.  At  several  places  in  the  Molino 
adit  near  cinnabar-bearing  veins,  pyrite  in  small  crystals  was 
encountered,  stated  to  assay  $1.40  per  ton  in  gold.  Much  of  the  ground 
through  which  this  adit  passes  is  soft  and  ver^^  heavy  to  hold  open,  for 
which  reason  it  was  superseded  by  the  aerial  tramway. 

NEW  IDRIA  MINE. 

An  idea  of  the  size  and  shape  of  the  main  New  Idria  ore-body,  or 
rather  'ore-zone,'  may  be  gained  from  the  outline  shown  on  Plate  XIV, 
which  was  traced  from  the  mine  map.  On  account  of  the  very  large 
number  of  adits,  crosscuts,  drifts,  levels  and  intermediate  levels,  no 
attempt  was  made  to  reproduce  them,  which  would  only  have  compli- 
cated the  drawing.  For  similar  reasons,  the  outline  of  the  ore  zone 
was  taken  at  three  separated  levels,  only:  the  2d,  5th  and  10th.  This 
shows  a  roughly  elliptical  shape  in  the  upper  levels,  narrowing,  length- 
ening eastward,  and  curving  toward  a  crescent  shape  in  the  lower 
levels.  The  No.  7  level  (not  shown)  has  a  distinctly  crescent  outline. 
This  zone  has  a  general  dip  to  the  southeast  of  about  60°  to  65°.  It 
varies  up  to  235  feet  wide  between  walls  and  800  feet  long  on  the  No. 
5  level,  and  averages  about  120  feet  wide,  with  a  length  of  nearly  1200 
feet  on  the  No.  10  level. 

The  term  'ore  zone'  is  deemed  by  the  writer  a  better  designation  in 
this  case  than  'ore-body,'  because  all  of  the  rock  within  the  outlines 


PLATE  XIV, 


OUTLINE     or    ORE    BODY 

NEW   IDRIA    QUICKSILVER    MINE 

San  Ben /to  Co.  Cal. 

Sca/e  ■■-   I  inch  =  ^oo  feet 
'Tracecf  from  the  mine  map,  6ep'f  /9/4-. 


W.E.C. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


Ill 


noted  is  not  ore.  The  ore  occurrences  are  not  altogether  regular. 
There  are  various  vein.s,  cross-veins,  stock-works  and  impregnations. 
The  main  ore-body  within  the  area  is  stock-works  in  sandstone  and 
shale,  and  in  places  an  impregnated  sandstone,  somewhat  harder  than 
the  others.  As  will  be  noted  from  the  map  (Plate  XII),  the  mine  is  in 
the  Franciscan  metamorphic  sandstones  and  shales  and  some  distance 


Photo   No.   22.      Flashlight  view  in  square  set  stope   (30'  wide)    between 
No.  2  and   No.  2'j   levels,    New   Idria   Mine. 

from  the  contact  of  the  large  serpentine  area  already  mentioned. 
Some  of  the  shale  is  indurated  so  that  it  resembles  slate,  and  was  so 
called  in  some  of  the  earlier  reports.  The  hanging  wall  is  marked  by 
a  black  clay  'alta'  outside  of  which  is  metamorphosed  shale,  then  sand- 
stone and  finally  serpentine  beyond.  The  footwall  is  not  as  distinctly 
defined  as  the  hanging,  the  value  frequently  not  showing  a  sharp  stop- 
ping off  line. 


'Wl  CALIFORNIA    STATK   MINING   BUREAU. 

Tile  iiiinc  work  inns  arc  (•()iii[)li('a1(Ml  and  iiiiinci'oiis,  due  to  the  irreg- 
ularity of  the  ore  shoots.  Consideral)h'  timbering  is  required, 
especiallx-  in  th<'  larger  stopes,  where  the  s(iuare  set  system  is  employed 
(see  Photo  Xo.  22).  The  stope  shown  is  5  sets  (6  feet  each)  wide,  or 
30  feet.  Others  arc  up  to  ")()  feet  S(iuare.  The  two  more  important 
ore  shoots  developed  are  at  o])i)()sitc  ends  of  the  zone.  The  'Bodie 
slioot'  is  at  the  east  end,  the  other  being  known  as  the  West  End  shoot 
and  has  becMi  an  important  producer,  especially  below  the  No.  5  level. 
There  are  two  other  veins,  known  as  the  Elvan  Streak  and  the  New 
Hope,  whicli  are  quite  distinct  from  the  main  ore-body.  The  former 
cuts  across  the  main  zone,  while  the  latter  cuts  across  the  hanging  wall 
to  the  ore-l)ody  but  stops  at  the  alta.  At  tlie  time  of  Becker's  visit 
(1884)^  development  had  not  yet  proceeded  to  the  point  that  these 
relations  were  as  evident  as  they  now  are.  The  Elvan  streak  is 
described  as  a  "clean-cut  tissure,  filled  with  decomposed  attrition  pro- 
ducts which  arc  impregnated  with  cinnabar."  This  gouge  material 
is  misnamed  'talc'  by  the  miners.  At  one  point  a.ssociated  with  this 
vein  was  a  considerable  amount  of  metacinnabarite,  which  it  is  stated, 
amounted  to  several  tons.  Tlie  Ncav  Hope  vein  was  distinctly  of 
metacinnabarite,  in  the  upper  levels,  where  it  was  very  rich ;  but  it  has 
not  been  worked  in  the  lower  levels.  In  the  main  zone  pyrite,  though 
not  abundant,  is  associated  with  the  cinnabar,  and  the  gangue  minerals 
are  quartz,  calcitc  and  gypsum.  From  the  north  end  of  the  New  Idria 
to  the  south  end  of  the  San  Carlos,  the  ore-bearing  area  has  been 
proven  for  a  length  of  2i  miles. 

As  already  stated,  the  mine  workings  are  rather  complex,  if  one 
attempts  to  consider  them  in  detail.  Development  is  mainly  by  adits, 
with  connections  by  raises  and  winzes.  There  are  ten  main  levels.  No. 
1  to  No.  10,  and  a  number  of  intermediates.  The  No.  10  tunnel,  which 
is  the  main  haulage  way  for  delivery  of  ore  to  the  furnaces,  is  3175' 
in  length  to  the  vein,  at  which  point  it  is  1060'  vertically  below  the 
outcrop.  There  is  a  total  of  15  to  20  miles  of  underground  develop- 
ment in  the  coiiipany 's  property,  including  500(V  in  the  San  Carlos. 
5000'  ill  the  Molino.  (iOO'  in  the  Creek  tunnel  and  over  3  miles  of  open 
working  tunnels  ( crosseiits)  in  the  New  Idria.  The  system  of  mining 
in  use  is  that  of  overhand  sloping,  and  timbering  with  square  sets. 
Pneumatic  stopers  and  drills  are  employed;  and  a  certain  amount  of 
hand-sorting  is  done  within  the  mine.  On  the  No.  9  level  there  is  a 
grizzly  22'  long  of  J,"  bar  iron  on  edge,  sjiaced  ^"  apart  at  the  top  and 
1]"  at  the  Ixjttoiu.  At  that  jxiint  there  are  two  ehules.  one  for  fine  ore 
and  the  other  for  coar.se,  leading  to  No.  10  level,  where  the  cars  are 
loaded  and  hauled  in  trains  to  the  runiaees.     No.  10  adit  is  a  mile  in 


•U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XlII.  p.   n05. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


113 


U'ligtli  from  the  chutes  to  its  poi'tal.  Formerly  mules  were  used  for 
]uotive  j^ower,  hut  have  heen  superseded  ])y  a  Iti  h.  [».  Edisou  storage- 
liattery  locomotive  (see  Photo  No.  23),  for  uuderground  haulage;  while 
a  Ford  gasoliue  motor  is  used  for  surface  haulage.  The  hot  ore  dis- 
charged from  the  furnaces  is  hauled  to  the  dumps  l)y  mule-drawn 
trains.  There  is  a  winze  from  No.  2  level  to  No.  9,  in  winch  a  gasoline 
hoist  operates  a  skip  for  tools  and  timber  down  to  the  No.  7.  A 
25-h.  p.  distillate  engine  furnishes  the  power. 


Photo   No.   23.      Ore  trains  at  New  Idria   Mine.      At  left,  an  electric  storage-battery  locomotive 
for    underground    haulage.     At   right,   gasoline   motor   for   surface   haulage. 

At  the  time  of  the  writer's  visit  in  September.  1917,  a  considerable 
part  of  the  New  Idria  ore  going  to  the  furnaces  was  from  the  old  dumps 
and  from  quarries  being  opened  up  near  the  top  of  the  hill  along  the 
original  outcrop  workings  (see  Photo  No.  24).  The  coarse,  waste  rock 
is  sorted  out,  and  the  finer  rock  and  pieces  carrying  cinnabar  sent  to 
the  chutes.  ^Material  from  the  dumps  between  #2  and  #5  levels  was 
lianled  by  mule-train  into  #5  and  dropped  down  a  winze  to  the  chute 
on  jflO  level.  It  was  stated  that  the  dump  ore  cost  S^(l'  per  ton  placed 
in  #10  level  chute.  One  shift  (day)  only  was  worked  here.  This  out- 
side ore  supply  will  continue  to  be  drawn  upon  except  during  winter 
months,  when  two  .shifts  will  be  worked  underground.  An  aerial  tram- 
way 3500'  long  is  being  installed  between   ^r>  level   and   the   furnace 

e— 38.540 


lU 


CALIFORNIA    STATE    :MIXTX0    RTREAr. 


teriniiial  of  the  Sail  Carlos  tram.  l)ciii<:-  of  llic  same  type  and  size  of 
buckets  as  the  San  Cai'h)s  instaUation.  With  this  tramway  in  oper- 
ation, this  surface  ore  will  he  moved  at  even  a  cheaper  cost  figure  than 
that  (juoted  al)ove  for  the  underground  route.  In  excavating-  the  upper 
dumps  made  from  the  early  outcrop  workings  at  least  as  early  as  1860, 
niucli  hroken,  slide  material  is  being  encountered,  some  of  it  apparently 
from  tlie  original  outcrop:  as  the  writer  noted  many  pieces  of  very 
high-grade  ore  containing  massive  cinnabar.  It  is  intended  to  quarry 
off  a  considerable  portion  of  the  top  of  the  hill. 


Photo    No.   24.      New    Idria    Mine,    showing    open    cuts    and    dumps    being    reworked    at    top    of 
hill.      Much  of  this  is  to   be  quarried   off.      Buildings  in   center  are  at  portal  of   No.   2   level. 

Within  the  mine  during  the  summer  months,  the  main  gangways 
will  all  be  kept  oix^n.  \\\\\\  some  stoping  and  development  work  carried 
on.  They  will  stope.  largely  above  the  #6  level,  for  some  time  yet:  but 
expect  to  break  a  larger  tonnage  of  lower  grade  ore. 

At  the  portal  of  #2  level  there  was  formerly  a  ste.nn-driven  sawmill  of 
2000  b.  m.  ft.  daily  capacit\-.  Round  timliers  were  used — both  pine  and 
cedar — some  being  cut  on  land  owikmI  by  the  comjiany  and  some  also 
at  a  point  11  miles  to  the  south  of  Idria.  within  the  Monterey  Xalional 
Forest,  under  contract  with  the  V.  S.  Foi-est  Service.  At  present. 
saAved  timliei's.  cut  to  dimensions,  from  Santa  Cruz,  are  hauled  in  by 
motor  trucks  I'l-oin  the  railroad  at  Tres  Pinos.  This  freighting  is  con- 
tracted at  il^lO  per  ton  from  Trois  I'inos  to  j|2  level.     Hauling  from  Men- 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  115 

tlota  edsts  •^9  per  ton  for  miscellaneous  freiii'ht  and  H^IO  per  ton  for  oil, 
witli  a  drawhaek  for  ontgoini;'  shipments.  The  t-ompany  maintains 
most  of  the  rei)air  work  on  the  roads,  thouuh  San  Benito  County  does 
some  work  on  the  Tres  Piuos  road. 

Equipment  at  #2  level  portal  includes  a  timber  framer  driven  l)y  a 
!l  li.  p.  distillate  engine,  which  consumes  53  gallons  of  distillate  per 
month.  There  is  also  a  saw  especially  set  for  cutting  wedges.  The 
blacksmith  shop,  here,  is  equipped  with  a  Waugh  drill  sharpener.  The 
T2  adit  is  the  main  entry  to  the  mine  for  timbers  and  other  supplies, 
from  which  they  are  distributed  to  the  levels  lielow  ])y  means  of  the 
winze  and  hoist  previously  mentioned. 

The  power-house  is  situated  around  the  hill  to  the  left  (see  Photo 
Xo.  21)  of  the  Scott  furnace.  There  are  two  semi-Diesel  engines,  Type 
Y,  Fairbanks-Morse,  75  h.  p.  and  50  h.  p.,  respectively,  direct-con- 
nected to  a  common  line  shaft,  which  drive  the  compressor,  also  a  60 
k.  w.  generator  for  lights  and  furnace  blowers.  These  are  also  boosted 
l)y  a  water-wheel.  The  generator  is  on  a  short-center  drive  from  the 
line  shaft.  In  the  winter  time,  this  drive  is  dropped,  and  water  used, 
and  the  compressor  is  run  by  one  of  the  semi-Diesels.  Water-power  is 
obtained  from  San  Carlos  Creek,  the  reservoir  being  above  a  series  of 
falls,  near  the  Aurora  mine,  and  giving  a  head  of  975  feet. 

SAN  CARLOS  MINE. 

Like  the  New  Idria  mine,  the  San  Carlos  orebodies  are  also  within 
the  area  of  Franciscan  rocks  noted  on  the  map  (Plate  XII),  but  appar-^ 
ently  nearer  the  serpentine  contact  than  tlie  former.  ^lost  of  the  ore 
is  in  sandstone,  which  is  in  part  metamcrphic.  Some  of  the  cinnabar 
is  in  seams,  and  some  is  disseminated.  The  sandstone  is  blocky,  and 
harder  than  in  the  Xew  Idria  mine.  There  is  a  serpentine  ''dike'  Cross- 
ing through  the  workings,  which  also  is  mineralized.  It  is  considerably 
decomposed,  and  is  characterized  by  an  abundance  of  chlorite,  an  end 
lu'oduct  of  the  weathering  of  serpentine.  There  is  some  "iine-grained 
sandstone,  and  some  'mud-reck.'  At  the  left  of  the  quarry  shown  in 
]*hoto  Xo.  25  there  is  a  vein  of  amethyst  crystals  cutting  through  the 
sandstone. 

The  resumption  of  San  Carlos  ore  shipments  to  the  Xew  Idria 
fuinaces  in  September,  1915,  is  stated  to  have  been  the  first  since  1864. 
All  the  work  is  at  present  being  done  above  #2  level  haulage  tiuinel 
which  has  been  driven  clear  through  the  ridge,  and  is  1030'  long.  A 
Ford  motor  is  used  for  hauling  to  the  aerial  tram  1)in.  Raises  are 
driven  at  various  points  up  under  the  dumps  on  the  surface.  It  is 
intended  to  (juarry  off  the  entire  top  of  the  hill  down  to  i^2  level.  The 
ore  being  sent  from  here  to  the  furnaces  in  Septeml)er.  1917,  was  aver- 
aging about  0.79^   mercury. 


116 


CAI.Il'ORXIA    STATK   :MINING   BUREAU. 


The  ore  rroni  the  San  Carlos  mine  is  transpoi'tcd  to  tlie  reiliietiou 
works  by  a  I'aintfi-  aci-ial  trani\va\'.  2  miles  lon<i;\  with  a  drop  of  2130' 
between  terminals,  ami  its  operation  is  controlled  by  brakes  at  the 
upper  end.  There  are  •']()  buckets  of  10(10  11).  eapaeity,  each.  Loek-coil 
steel  cables  are  used,  the  track  rope  on  the  loaded-bucket  side  heinu' 
1  1/8"  diam..  on  the  empty  .side  7/ 8"  diam.,  and  the  traction  or  pullinu' 
I'ope  5/8"  diam.  An  autonuitic,  track  oilei-  is  passed  over  the  line  once 
every  5  days,  spreading  crude  fuel-oil  on  tiie  cable.  The  huekets  are 
held  onto  the  traction  rope  by  a  ^rip  which  is  attachcnl  and  detached 


Photo    No.   25.      San    Carlos    Mine,    open    cut    above    No.    2    level.      Recovering    dump    material 

and  old  pillars. 

automatically  at  tlu^  terminals.  The  buckets  are  duniiied  by  liaiul. 
The  capacity  of  the  ti'amwa\-  is  20  tons  of  oi-e  [)er  houi".  and  it  is  oper- 
ated two  8-hour  shifts  daih'. 


REDUCTION   EQUUVMENT. 

'I'he  1-eduction  e(|uipment  of  the  New  Tdria  Company  has  been  under- 
Uding  I'apid  anil  vital  changes  dui'ing  the  past  xcai'.  and  other 
important  developments  ai-e  in  comtemplation  :  so  that  l)\  the  time  this 
report  comes  from  the  printer,  the  photographs  and  flow-sheet  repro- 
duced herewith  will  not  in  all  details  li'iithfuUy  portray  the  installation 


(^riCKSllA'KR    RESOURCES.  117 

and  prac-tic.'  as  tlu'.v  may  exist  at  tliat  moment.  However,  these 
ehan.ues  are  liere  reeonnted  to  show  the  present  status,  and  to  record 
the  history  of  the  developments.  At  the  present  writing  (April, 
1918,)  the  reduction  eqvnpment  includes  a  concentrating  mill,  two 
Idria  coarse-ore  furnaces  of  88  tons  daily  capacity,  a  60-ton  Scott  fine- 
ore  furnace,  and  a  rotary  furnace  of  the  cement-kiln  type  4'  diam. 
X  50'  long.  In  the  panoramic  view  (Photo  No.  21),  the  coarse-ore 
furnaces  are  in  the  large  building  in  the  center,  the  Scott  being  to  the 
left  with  the  long  flue  and  stack  running  up  the  hillside.  The  aerial 
tramway  terminal  is  to  the  right  near  the  water  and  oil-storage  tanks, 
while  the  concentrator  is  betw^een  the  coarse-ore  furnaces  and  the  tram 
terminal.  The  new  rotary  furnace  has  been  installed  just  this  side  of 
the  concentrator  in  a  building  that  has  been  erected  since  the  photo- 
graph was  taken. 

The  New  Idria  coarse-ore  furnace  is  of  a  design  developed  by  Mr. 
B.  U.  Newcomb,  for  many  years  general  superintendent  of  the  com- 
pany, and  is  described  elsewhere  herein,^  with  drawing  accompanying. 
The  fine-ore  furnace  ('No.  1')  is  of  the  Scott  pattern,  and  was  built 
for  60  tons  daily  capacity,  but  it  is  at  present  handling  about  75  tons 
of  ore  and  concentrates. 

Formerlv  a  small  Scott  furnace  ('No.  4')  of  9  tons  capacity  was  used 
for  some  vears  for  retreating  soot  from  the  condensers,  instead  of 
retorting  it  as  is  done  at  most  quicksilver  mines.  This  was  described 
by  the  wa-iter-  in  a  recent  report.  This  furnace  is  one  tile  (3')  long 
and  25  tiles  high  (28'  1^"),  wtih  a  3"  spacing  between  the  tiles  instead 
of  6"  as  in  the  larger  Scott  furnaces.  Also,  the  tiles  are  set  on  a  50° 
slope  instead  of  45°.  With  each  1  ton  of  dried  soot,  8  tons  of  fine  ore 
were  mixed,  before  feeding  to  the  furnace.  Use  of  this  furnace  was 
discontinued  in  1917  because  of  improvements  in  the  condensing  sys- 
tem which  reduced  the  amount  of  soot  formed,  and  such  as  was  formed 
was  treated  in  the  soot  mill  described  elsewhere  herein,-*  in  the  section 
under  ^Metallurgy. 

Formerly  the  condensers  near  the  furnaces  were  of  stone,  followed 
by  a  series  of  barrel-form  chambers  of  wood.  The  stone  condensers  on 
the  Scott  furnace  have  been  replaced  by  three  round,  vertical,  wood- 
stave  chambers  (see  Photo  No.  60,  post).  The  stone  condensers  on  the 
coarse-ore  furnaces  were  replaced  by  a  large,  rectangular  wooden  cham- 
ber, prior  to  the  adoption  of  the  round  vertical  form.  The  flues  and 
stacks  are  also  of  wood-stave  construction    (see  Photo  No.  26).     The 

•'lra(ne;-.^w:'w:,'et''al..  Mines  &  mineral  resources  of  Monterey  et  al.  counties: 
Cal  State  Min.  Bur.,  chap,  of  State  Mineralogist's  Report.  19]::.-1916,  p.  ii,  iwn. 
reprinted  in  Report  XV,  p.  667    (in  press). 

■'See  p,  275,  i)Ost. 


ns 


CAr.lFORXIA    STA'l'K    MfXIXC    P.IK'KAT. 


New  Idria  coiulciisiii^'  system  is  (Icscrihcd  in  the  section  of  the  hulletin 
under  Metallui'v;\/  as  is  also  tlie  new  rotary  t'lu'iiace.''  The  furnaces 
are  fired  ])\"  eruch'  oil:  hut  in  starliiii:  uj)  a  cold  furnace  wood  is  Hrst 
used  before  turniiiL;  on  the  oil.  until  the  fuel  box  is  heated  enouiih  to 
keep  fhe  oil  vapor  atire.  This  lessens  the  daniicr  of  hack-tirintr,  or  fhe 
flame  ii'oini;'  out   tempoi'arily  and   fillin<:'  the   furnace   with   uas.   whieli 


Photo   No.   26.      Blower  and   stack  from   fine  ore   furnace.    New   Idria   Mine. 

would  explode  on  tlie  oil  bein.ti'  re-li^hted.     Crude  oil   foi'  fuel   in   1K17 
cost  $2.98  per  barrel  at  the  mine. 

A  Hrown  reeoi'dinu  and  indicating  i'lecti-ic  pyi'oiiieter  installed  in  the 
office  of  the  furnace  foi-eman  is  eciniected  into  each  of  the  three  older 
furnaces  about  half-way  up.  The  followiiiL:  leni[)ei'at ures  are  main- 
tained:  fll  at  (iOO     (':  Jfl'  at  .'»(»()     (';  it:{  at  4:)(»     ('. 


*See  pp.   JG4-L'fiG,  post. 
^See  pp.   LNS-:ir>0.  ixist. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


110 


Ore  sizing. 

Ore  broutiht  out  through  #10  tuuiifl  of  the  New  Adria  mine  is  tirst 
taken  to  tlie  'screen  house'  where  it  is  dumped  onto  a  grizzly  with  H" 
aperture.  The  oversize  from  the  grizzly  goes  to  No.  3  coarse-ore 
furnace.  Tlie  undersized  is  elevated  to  a  revolving,  wire  screen  which 
makes  a  segregation  into  3  sizes:  -]-7/8"  to  H"  which  goes  to  No.  2 
coarse-ore  furnace;  — 7/8  to  +1/^"  "^vhich  goes  to  the  Scott  fine-ore 
furnace:  — 1/8"  which  goes  to  the  mill  for  concentration. 

Ore  from  the  San  Carlos  mine  is  dumped  at  the  tramway  terminal 
onto  a  grizzly  with  a  1"  aperture.  The  oversize  is  sent  to  the  coarse- 
ore  furnaces.  A  part  of  the  nndersize,  up  to  the  mill's  capacity,  is  sent 
to  the  concentrators.  IMost  of  the  balance  is  sent  to  the  revolving 
screen  in  the  screen  house.  Some  of  the  grizzly  nndersize  has  been 
sent  direct  to  No.  1  (Scott)  furnace. 

Descriptions  of  the  concentrating  mill,  the  soot  mill,  and  the  experi- 
ments made  on  flotation  with  oil,  are  described  in  the  section  of  this 
report  on  Metallurgy.'' 

The  following  summary  of  operations  during  the  years  1914,  1913 
and  1912,  is  taken  from  a  published'  extract  from  the  annual  report  of 
the  New  Idria  company  for  the  year,  1914,  and  is  quoted  here  to  show 
the  status  before  the  present  high  prices  of  quicksilver  were  in  vogue : 


19U 


1913 


Development,  feet  

Ore  treated,  tons 

Quick.-iilver  recovered,  flasks- 

Average  price  per  flask 

Total  revenue 


12.367 
62,578 
6,550 
^1 
$295,361 
Operating  expenses  !     340,371 


Loss 

Dividends    

Previous  surplus  

Surplus  carried  forward. 


45,010 

10,000 

144,60^] 

89,590 


9,182 

76.993 

9,700 


^363,0.54 
298,041 
*65,013 
40,000 
119.587 
144,600 


1912 


11,0'80 

76,348 

9.600 


$377,484 
303,721 
*73,763 
120,000 
165,824 
119,587 


*Profit. 

In  1914,  up  to  Jul.v,  400  men  were  emplo.ved,  when  the  number  was 
curtailed  owing  to  the  low  price  of  quicksilver  then  prevailing,  and  one 
of  the  coarse-ore  furnaces  shut  down ;  so  that  in  September  when  the 
writer  first  visited  the  property,  there  were  171  in  the  mine  and  53  on 
top  and  around  the  furnaces — a  total  of  224  men  on  the  payroll.  Since 
then,  however,  due  to  the  rise  in  the  price  of  quicksilver,  more  are  being 
employed,  and  all  of  the  furnaces  are  operating;  so  that  when  last 
visited,  in  September,  1917.  there  were  295  men  on  the  pa,^■roll,  though 
350  men  was  considered  a  full  crew.  ^liners  were  being  paid  ij;3.00  per 
day;  muckers  ^2.15;  furnace  men  $2.75  and  $3.00  with  the  charge  and 


'See  pp.   275.  339-.342.  post. 

•Min.  &  Sci.  Press.,  vol.   110,  p.   601.  Apr.   10,   I'.n." 


120  CALIFORNIA    STATK    MINING   BUREAU. 

draw  nu'ii  working'  8-huur  .shifts.     A  full  crew  on  the  furnaces  at  that 
time  consisted  of  o2  men. 

Bill].:  Cai..  Statk  Mix.  Hik.,  Reports  I,  p.  26:  IV.  pp.  88(i,  :33i) ; 
VIII.  pp.  48:5-485 :  X.  p.  51.1:  XI.  p.  373;  XII,  p.  365;  XIII.  p. 
59f^;  XIV.  1).  228;  XV.  pp.  660-668;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period, 
1915-1916.  pj).  66-75;  Bull.  27.  pp.  9,  22,  125-129,  138-145.  213, 
214,  234.  241.  245;  Bull.  67,  pp.  33,  35.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII, 
pp.  64,  189,  215,  291-308,  465;  Min.  Res.,  1882  to  1915.  Mm. 
Res.  W.  op  Rocky  Mts.,  1868,  p.  264;  1869,  p.  10;  1870.  p.  759; 
1871,  pp.  58,  528;  1872,  p.  523;  1873,  pp.  10,  497;  1874,  pp.  28, 
37;  1875.  p.  13.  Geol.  Surv.  op  Cal.,  Geol.  Vol.  I,  pp.  57-60; 
Vol.  II.  pp.  113-120.     Trans.  A.  I.  M.  E.,  Vol.  XXXIII.  p.  484. 

Niesen  Group.  John  Niesen.  owner,  Hernandez.  Two  claims,  the 
Tiger  and  Buck,  in  Sec.  31,  T.  18  S.,  R.  12  E.,  and  Sec.  36,  T.  18  S., 
R.  11  E.,  M.  D.  ]\I.,  make  up  the  property,  which  lies  on  the  headwaters 
of  the  San  Benito  River,  5  miles  from  Hernandez  and  about  30  miles 
from  Coalinga.  The  country  rocks  ai'e  the  sedimentary  formations, 
sandstones  and  shales,  lying'  south  of  the  serpentine  area.  They  have 
been  somewhat  indurated  by  folding.  The  tunnel  on  the  Tiger  claim, 
which  is  the  only  development  so  far  done,  was  driven  100  feet  north- 
east and  75  feet  east  and  is  entirely  in  an  indurated  black  clay  shale, 
Avhieh  shows  abundant  efflorescences  of  epsomite  and  some  ferrous  sul- 
phate. A  2"  streak  of  gouge  at  the  end  of  the  drift  carried  a  trace  of 
cinnabar,  as  did  also  the  rock.  There  was  no  other  evidence  of  miner- 
alization ;  no  contact  had  been  cut  and  surface  indications  were  not 
such  as  to  encourage  exploration. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  :\Iin.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  669;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  75. 

Stayton  Mine.  Stayton  Mining  Company,  owner;  John  W.  Baxter, 
president,  3015  Ilillegass  Ave.,  Berkeley;  R.  B.  Knox,  secretary  and 
manager,  819  Pacitic  Building,  San  Francisco;  E.  B.  Kendall,  suiierin- 
tendent.  This  group  which  is  the  principal  property  of  the  Stayton 
district  is  in  Sees.  5  and  8,  T.  12  S..  R.  7  E..  :\r.  1).  :\I..  15  miles  east  of 
Hollister  by  a  good  road.  The  jiroperty  has  been  owned  by  the  Stay- 
ton  company  since  1876.  and  consists  of  the  following  patented  claims 
and  mines:  Stayton.  North  Stai-.  Pacitic,  Santa  Clara,  Fairplay.  Green 
Valley,  Cold  Spring,  Badger  Co.  No.  2,  Last  Chance,  F.  Smith  Co., 
]\IeLeod  Co.,  a  total  area  of  900  acres,  and  a  length  of  3000  feet  along 
the  lode.  Ore  was  discovered  here  in  1870,  and  was  tii-st  worked  for 
antimony.  The  limber  siip])ly  consists  of  scattered  oak.  and  water  is 
obtained  from  springs.     The  total  production   is  slated  to   have  been 


QUICKSllAKR    RESOURCES.  121 

800  to  1000  Hasks,  all  before  1880,  most  of  which  eaine  fi-oiii  the  ( Jypsy 
vein  and  was  taken  out  with  a  'D'  retort. 

The  country  roeks  are  basalt  and  acidic  tnflf  breccias,  and  are  under- 
lain by  sandstone.  There  are  six  veins,  called  Grey  Buck,  Gypsy, 
Chimney,  North  Star.  Blue  Win^',  and  Pacific.  The  general  strike  is 
approximately  N.-S.,  with  dip  60'^  W.  The  cinnabar  values  occur  near 
the  footwall  with  associated  fissures  extending  west  into  the  hanging 
wall.  The  associated  minerals  are  quartz,  pyrite,  and  stibnite.  The 
last-named  is  particularly  characteristic  of  the  district,  and  for  which, 
as  above  noted,  the  mine  was  first  worked.  The  mines  are  located  on 
both  slopes  of  the  main  ridge  of  the  Diablo  Range,  the  principal  cinna- 
bar deposits  being  on  the  east  side  accompanied  by  some  stibnite;  while^ 
the  principal  deposits  on  the  west  side  are  of  stibnite,  with  some  cinna- 
bar veins.  In  the  Stayton  group,  there  are  six  ore  shoots,  with  average 
lengths  of  40'  and  widths  averaging  5'.  The  maximum  width  of  the 
mineralized  zone  is  70',  with  an  average  of  35'.  The  Grey  Buck  shaft 
was  250'  deep  with  levels  at  70',  150',  and  235',  and  drifts  of  150', 
775'  and  10'  in  length  respectively.  In  October,  1917,  sinking  was  in 
progress  in  this  shaft  to  open  up  the  vein  at  the  300'  level,  ore  then 
showing  at  252'.  Preparations  were  also  being  made  for  a  furnace. 
Equipment  includes  a  20  h.  p.  Doak  distillate  engine,  Sullivan  straight- 
line  WG3-10"x8"  compressor,  Murray  Bros,  direct-connected  friction 
hoist.  Water  Leyner  drills,  and  Worthington  Duplex  pump.  A  total 
of  10  men  were  employed,  6  of  whom  were  underground.  It  is  stated 
that  there  are  4000  tons  of  ore  on  the  dump,  which  will  be  available 
for  furnacing. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  VIII,  p.  485 ;  X,  p.  515 ;  XI, 
p.  371;  XII,  p.  365;  XIII,  p.  599;  XV,  p.  670;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  76;  Bull.  27,  pp.  147-149.  U.  S.  G. 
S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  380. 

Tirado  Group.  Jose  Tirado,  Hernandez,  owner.  There  are  two 
claims,  the  Capitola  and  San  Domingo,  in  Sec.  18,  T.  18  S.,  R.  12  E., 
M.  D.  M.,  2^  miles  by  trail  northeast  of  the  Alpine  furnace. 
The  locations  were  made  late  in  1914,  as  the  result  of  discovery 
of  some  rich  float  by  Silvester  Tirado.  The  claims  follow  the 
strike  of  the  mineralized  zone  mentioned  in  describing  the  Alpine 
and  Picachos  mines.  The  Andy  Johnson  corners  the  San  Domingo 
on  the  southwest  and  the  IMonterey  claims  nearly  surround  the 
Tirado  group.  At  only  one  spot  has  a  cropping  of  rock  been 
found  apparently  in  place  and  carrying  cinnabar.  This  is  on  a 
steep  hillside  near  the  southeast  end  of  the  San  Domingo,  in  a  stream 
cut  where  the  loose  serpentine  has  been  deeply  eroded  by  a  tributary 


12"J  CAI.IKOKMA    STATK    ^11X1X0    BFREAr. 

of  Clcjir  Creek.  The  rock  liei'c  is  in  pnrt  a  siliceous  l)reccia  which 
appears  to  have  Ix'cn  I'eeeiiieiited  l)y  silica  (ie|)osite(l  from  solution 
whieh  ap{)ai'ently  also  hoi-e  ciniiahMi'.  oi-  was  followed  hy  deposition  of 
cinnabar  in  the  cavities  of  the  rock  mass.  The  cinnabar  is  found  at 
limes  in  cavities  as  diaisy  coatinjj's  or  in  nearly  solid  masses  (i"  or  8"  J 
thick.  Elsewhere  the  boulders  resemble  the  croi)pin<is  at  Los  Picachos. 
It  wonld  seem  as  if  a  rather  rich  ore  shoot  had  bei'U  broken  up  here  by 
the  creek  branch,  which  has  carved  a  deep  canon  aci'oss  the  sti'ike  of  the 
outcrop  zone,  and  concentrated  the  hioh-grade  material  in  its  stream 
bed.  Several  tons  of  this  boulder  ore  was  burned  in  the  G-pi[)e  retort 
built  in  1915.  Development  work  in  a  limited  way  has  been  carried 
on,  and  a  small  production  of  quicksilver  reported  during  IDKi  and 
1917. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.   Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.   C7();  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915—1916,  p.  76. 

Wonder  Mine.  Manuel  Gonzales,  oAvner,  Idria.  This  mine  is  in 
See.  31,  T.  17  S.,  R.  12  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  about  1^-  miles  west  of  New  Idria. 
at  an  elevation  of  4000'  (U.  S.  G.  S.).  It  is  within  the  area  of  Fran- 
ciscan rocks  noted  on  the  geolojiical  map  (see  Plate  XII),  and  was 
located  in  1908.  There  are  6  claims  in  the  i>TOup,  with  an  area  of  120 
acres.  The  cinnabar  occurs  in  a  soft.  i)artly  serpentinized  sandstone, 
in  part  as  an  impreanation  and  also  as  seams  1"  to  l.l"  in  width. 
Some  pyrite  accompanies  the  ore.  The  strike  of  the  vein  is  east  of 
south.  There  are  three  adits,  all  beino-  drifts,  two  of  which  are  on 
nearly  the  same  level.  One  i.s  in  195',  another  180',  and  the  third  80'. 
There  are  also  2  or  3  short  crosscuts  and  some  small  overhand  stopes. 
Wheelbarrows  are  used  to  carry  the  ore  to  the  retort,  which  is  of  seven 
10-inch  pipes  set  in  rather  crude  walls  of  mud-plastered  rubble 
masonry.  Each  pipe  treats  100  lbs.  of  ore  daily;  and  6  cords  of  wood 
are  burned  per  week.  The  wood  is  sci*ub  oak  and  iiian/anita.  cut  closi' 
to  the  mine,  and  costs  $1.50  to  $2.00  pel'  cord.  There  were  four  men 
at  work  (three  of  them  being  Gonzales'  sons),  two  being  underground, 
one  at  the  i-etoi't  and  one  cutting  wood.  The  mine  is  operated  only  7 
months  each  year;  and  is  credited  with  a  total  protluction  of  119  tiasks 
of  quicksilver  to  the  end  of  1917.  more  than  half  of  which  \\as  taken 
out  during  1917. 

Bibl.:  Cal.   Statk  Mix.  Bik..  Report   XV.   p.  (571  :   Chapter  i-ep. 
bien.  |)ei'io(l.  1915_1!)1().  \).  77. 


QUICKSIIAKR    RESOl'RCES.  12:1 

SAN  BERNARDINO  COUNTY. 

Tlie  oec'urrence  of  (Mnnal)ai'  has  been  noted  in  at  least  four  localities 
in   San   Bernardino  Connty.  hut  as  yet  there  has  been  no  eonimerci^il 

pi'oduetion   i'e[)orted. 

Mercury  Group.  W.  G.  Pinkett,  J.  L.  Wedekind,  F.  L.  :\radden  et  al.. 
owners.  Dauby  via  (ioft's.  This  group  of  14  claims  is  9  miles  northeast 
from  Uanby  station,  by  a  good  road,  and  was  located  in  January,  1917. 
The  country  rocks  are  stated  to  be  schist  and  serpentine.  From  speci- 
mens of  the"  ore  examined,  it  is  apparently  a  breccia  which  has  been 
re-cemented  by  deposits  from  hot  springs,  which  also  carried  cinnabar. 
There  is  considerable  reddish  iron  oxide  in  some  of  the  material.  The 
veins  or  mineralized  zones,  of  which  there  are  several,  are  stated  to 
range  from  4'  to  10'  in  width,  and  cut  through  a  series  of  'dikes'. 
The  strike  is  E-W.,  with  dip  S.  A  20'  shaft  has  been  sunk  and  a  num- 
ber of  superficial  prospect  holes  dug. 

Myrickite.  This  is  a  local  name  given  to  a  white,  gray  and  bluish, 
translucent  chalcedony  containing  bright  red  inclusions  of  cinnabar. 
It  is  found  in  the  southern  end  of  the  Death  Valley  region,  15  miles 
northeast  of  Lead  Pipe  springs,  and  45  miles  N.  of  E.  from  Johannes- 
burg, on  claims  owned  by  F.  IM.  ^Myrick  of  Randsburg.  Specimens 
have  been  mined  and  cut  for  jewelry.  The  chalcedony  occurs  in 
1  lunches  and  small  masses  in  a  lava  cap.  Some  development  work  was 
done  about  1912  to  ascertain  its  possibilities  as  a  source  of  quicksilver, 
l>ut  no  commercial  production  has  yet  been  made,  so  far  as  the  writer 
is  aware.  ' 

Bibl. :  Cal.  St.vte  Min. 'Bur.,  Bull.  67,  pp.  66,  67.     U.  S.  G.  S., 
:\rin.  Res.,  1911,  Pt.  II.  p.  1039;  1913,  Pt.  II,  p.  651. 

Specimens  of  wolframite  from  the  Jack  tungsten  claim  in  the  Clark 
^lountaius  near  Ivanpah,  have  ])een  found  showing  cinnal)ar  associated. 
The  mercuric  sulphide  occurs  in  the  middle  of  a  thin  wolframite  vein, 
but  was  deposited  at  a  later  time. 

Bibl.:  r.  S.  G.  S.,  Bull.  652.  p.  47,  and  Plate  V. 

A  cinnaljar-bearing  ledge  on  City  Creek,  six  miles  from  San  Ber- 
nardino, is  statcMl  to  have  been  worked  prioi-  to  1873.  in  which  year 
another  prospect  was  located  a  little  over  a  mile  from  the  first  one. 
The  record  does  not  show  definitely  if  any  metal  was  actually  reduced. 

Bibl.:   r.  S.  (;.  S..  M(m.  XIII.  p.  3S3.     :\rix.  c^'  Sci.  Press.,  vol.  27. 
I).  Kiii.  1S73. 


1'J4  CALIFORNIA    STATK    MIN1X(!    BIRKAT'. 

SAN  FRANCISCO  COUNTY. 

The  occurrence  of  luilivc  (jnicksilver  and  einnal)ar  in  siiinll  ijuanti- 
ties  in  tlic  hills  around  the  ^lission  was  known  in  the  early  days,  ])ut 
no  connnereial  deposit  cvci-  developed.  About  18f)2.  cinnabar  was 
found  in  sti-ingers  and  l)uiiches  in  a  siliceous  vein  enclosed  in  serpen- 
tine on  Divisadero  street  near  ^McAllister  street.  Cinnabar  and 
globules  of  the  native  metal  have  also  been  noted  on  Twin  Peaks.  None 
of  these  have  ever  yielded  quicksilver  in  commercial  amount. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XII,  p.  3(>6 ;  Hull.  67,  pp. 
18,  35.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.,  1892,  p.  160.  (;eol.  Surv.  op 
Cal.,  Geol.  vol.  I,  p.  78. 

SAN  LUIS  OBISPO  COUNTY. 

As  noted  in  the  introductory  paragraphs  to  Chapter  4  herein,^  there 
are  four  quicksilver  districts  in  San  Luis  Obispo  County  (see  Map, 
Plate  XV)  :  Oceanic,  Adelaide,  Pine  ^Mountain,  and  San  Carpojaro. 
They  are  all  adjacent,  and  somewhat  closely  grouped  in  the  north- 
western part  of  the  county,  being  located  in  zones  along, the  ridges  and 
spurs  of  the  Santa  Lucia  Range,  and  separated  by  mort^  or  less  barren 
sections  of  country.  These  districts  are  enumerated  above  in  the  order 
of  their  importance. 

Cinnabar  from  the  Sierra  Santa  Lucia  had  l)een  used  by  the  Indians 
for  pigment  for  generations  before  the  miner  appeared.  In  1861 
active  search  by  prospectors  began  and  the  first  location  is  said  to  have 
been  made  in  1862.  The  usual  rush  of  miners  followed  and  many 
claims  were  taken  up.  The  county  became  an  important  producer  in 
1876,  but,  although  many  properties  are  mentioned  as  yielding,  the 
records  give  the  individual  outputs  of  only  the  largest,  so  that  we  have 
not  an  exact  figure  of  the  county's  total.  At  the  properties,  too,  no 
systematic  data  was  kept  and  hardly  a  person  is  now  to  be  found  who 
can  give  first-hand  information  concerning  past  operations. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Rinconada  group,  and  the  \)vvv  Trail  mine, 
all  Ihc  mines  which  have  prodnced  (jnicksilver  are  located  along  the 
Santa  Lucia  Range  from  San  Carpojaro  Creek  in  the  noi-thwest  coi-ner 
of  the  county,  to  the  middle  of  T.  27  S..  R.  10  E..  a  distance  of  about 
30  miles.  All  except  the  Oceanic  and  Polar  Star  are  at  elevations  of 
over  1000'. 

The  mines  may  be  i-oughly  grouped  into  two  classes,  depending  on 
the  character  of  oi-e :  to  the  first  l)elong  the  properties  like  the  Oceanic, 
which  exhibit  sedimentary  formations  impregnated  with  cinnabar  and 


'See  p.   34,  ante. 


I 


QUICKSILVER    RKS(MTRCKS. 


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Ql  If-KSU^VER  DISTRICTS 

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Reprinled  from   Bulletin  27. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  125 

carrying'   liigli    {HTceiitaiiVs   of   pyrite;    tlu'   other   has   vrvs    wliieli   are 
highly  silieitiecl  metaniorpliies  (incliuling-  serpentine). 

In  a  recent  report,  speaking  of  the  character  of  work  done  at  some  of 
these  mines  in  the  past,  Logan-  remarks : 

"Tlie  nature  of  the  ore  occurrences  in  most  of  tlie  mines,  and  the  extreme  insttibility 
of  the  tiuicksilver  inarlcet  in  the  past  liave  no  doubt  been  the  chief  factors  in  determin- 
ing the  ruinous  policy  of  exploitation — it  lan  liardly  be  called  mining — wliich  has  been 
followed  at  a   number   of   the   properties   visited.      The   approved   method   of   procedure 
has  been  to  find  a  rich  pocket  of  ore,  erect  a  wasteful  retorting  plant  and  liurn  higli- 
grade  ore  only.      The  result  has  not  been  generally  realized,  perhaps,  until  the  recent 
I  phenomenal  rise  in  tlie  price  of  merciu-y.      Many  owners  find  now  to  their  chagrin  that 
tlie.v  have  neither  high-grade  ore  bodies  rich  enough  to  pay  for  retorting,  nor  furnaces 
to  treat  the  nimierous  occurrences  of  low-grade  material.      Consideration  of  the  costs 
1  entailed,  and   the  length   of  time  for  which  capital  would  be  tied   up   in  erecting  and 
'  bringing  a   furnace  plant   to   the   producing   stage,    furnish   ample   explanation   for   the 
i   lack  of  activity  in  mercury  mining,  in  spite  of  the  alluring  prices  now  ruling." 

OCEANIC    DISTRICT. 

I 

The  Oceanic  district  is  on  the  west  slope  of  the  main  Santa  Lucia 
I  ridge,  and  covers  the  headwaters  of  the  three  northern  forks  of  Santa 
Rosa  Creek  (Santa  Rosa,  Cooper,  and  Oceanic)  and  the  divide  between 
Santa  Rosa  and  San  Simeon  creeks  extending  northerly  to  the  south 
fork  of  the  latter.  The  geology  of  this  district  is  complicated,  and  the 
rocks  belong  almost  entirely  to  the  Franciscan  series,  except  for  an  area 
of  overlying,  younger  formations  in  the  southeastern  corner.  The  most 
important  mine  of  the  district  and  of  the  county  is  the  Oceanic. 

According  to  Forstner  -r 

"There  are  several  scattered  exposures  of  rhyolite  in  this  district,  which  apparently, 
however,  have  no  relation  to  the  location  of  the  ore  deposits.  There  are  very  clearly 
defined  lines  of  croppings.  having  a  northwestern  direction  ;  one.  starting  in  the 
Vulture  mine,  crosses  the  divide  and  runs  through  a  part  of  Cooper  Creek  basin ; 
another,  starting  southwest  thereof,  crosses  the  divide  between  Cooper  and  Oceanic 
creeks,  on  the  ground  of  the  Oceanic  No.  2  mine,  and  runs  through  the  Oceanic  mine. 
,A  third  line  of  croppings  lies  northeast  of  the  latter,  and  may  be  those  of  a  second 
or  back  ledge  found  formerly  in  the  old  works  of  tunnel  No.  4  and  below  in  the 
upper  shaft  levels  of  the  Oceanic  mine.  These  croppings  go  some  distance  farther 
northwest,  but  do  not  reach  the  divide  between  Santa  Rosa  and  San  Simeon  creeks. 
On  this  divide  a  very  bold  line  of  croppings  starts  northward,  forming  a  contiguous 
line  of  bluffs  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  long.  Hanked  on  both  sides  by  serpentine, 
which,  however,  appear  not  to  carry  any  cinnabar.  The  principal  material  of  the 
croppings  is  a  rather  light  gray,  flinty  quartz. 

"The  principal  rocks  exposed  at  the  surface  are,  besides  the  rhyolite  above  men- 
tioned, sandstone,  shales,  some  chert,  and  occasionally  some  serpentine.  The  sand- 
stone is  generally  much  decomposed,  with  a  brownish  or  greenish  gray  color,  but  not 
nearly  as  much  silicified  as  in  tlie  Adelaide  district.  The  deep  erosions  and  the  fact 
that  the  country  is  continually  sliding,  lead  to  the  supposition  that  a  large  part  of  the 
underlying  rock  is  more  or  less  serpentinized,  which  is  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  in 
most  of  the  gulches  the  hard  sandstone  is  found  underlaid  by  shales  or  serpentine. 

"In  the  Lehman  property  the  younger  sandstones  are  found  impregnated  with 
cinnabar  in  close  vicinity  to  the  rocks  of  the  Franciscan  series,  which  would  tend  to 
show  that  the  period  of  ore  formation  was  posterior  to  that  of  the  deposition  of  those 
upper  Cretaceous  or  Eocene  rocks.  -As  this  deposition  was  contemporaneous  with,  or 
closely  following,  a  strong  process  of  silicification.  the  highly  siliceous  character  of 
the  ledge  matter  of  most  of  the  mines  is  readily  explained,  the  Franciscan  series 
having  alread.v  undergone  a  prior  process  of  silification." 


-Logan,  C.  A.,  et  al.  Mines  and  mineral  resotu-ces  of  Monterey  et  al.  counties:  Cal. 
State  Min.  Bur..  Report  for  biennial  period,  1915-1916,  pp.  101-10.5.  liUT.  Reprinted 
in  Report  XV,  p.   fi9S,   1918. 

'T^orstner.  William,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California  :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur., 
Bull.   27,  p.   151.   190n. 


124 


CATJFOHXTA    STATK    :\IIXlX(i    I'.IHEAT. 


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QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  125 

carrying-   hi.uli    [xTreutages   of   pxritc;    the   other    has   ort'S    whie-h    are 
hiii'hly  silieitied  nietainorphics  (including  serpentine). 

In  a  recent  r('{)i)rt.  speaking  of  the  character  of  work  done  at  some  of 
these  mines  in  the  past,  Logan-  remarks : 

"The  nature  of  the  ore  occurrences  in  most  of  the  mhies,  and  the  extreme  instaljility 
of  the  quicksilver  market  in  the  past  liave  no  doubt  been  tlie  chief  factors  in  determin- 
ing tlie  ruinous  policj'  of  exploitation — it  can  liardly  be  called  mining — wliich  has  been 
followed  at  a  number  of  tlie  properties  visited.  The  approved  method  of  procedure 
lias  been  to  tind  a  ricli  pocket  of  ore.  erect  a  wasteful  retorting  plant  and  burn  high- 
giade  ore  only.  The  result  has  not  been  generally  realized,  perhaps,  until  the  recent 
phenomenal  rise  in  the  price  of  mei'cury.  Many  owners  find  now  to  tlieir  chagrin  that 
they  have  neitlier  high-grade  ore  bodies  rich  enougli  to  pay  for  retorting,  nor  furnaces 
to  treat  the  numerous  occurrences  of  low-grade  material.  Consideration  of  tlie  costs 
entailed,  and  tlie  length  of  time  for  wliich  capital  would  he  tied  up  in  erecting  and 
bringing  a  furnace  plant  to  the  producing  stage,  furnish  ample  explanation  for  the 
lack  of  activity  in  mercury  mining,  in  spite  of  the  alluring  prices  now  ruling." 

OCEANIC    DISTRICT. 

The  Oceanic  district  is  on  the  west  slope  of  the  main  Santa  Lueia 
ridge,  and  covers  the  headwaters  of  the  three  northern  forks  of  Santa 
Rosa  Creek  (Santa  Rosa,  Cooper,  and  Oceanic)  and  the  divide  between 
Santa  Rosa  and  San  Simeon  creeks  extending  northerly  to  the  south 
fork  of  the  latter.  The  geology  of  this  district  is  complicated,  and  the 
rocks  belong  almost  entirely  to  the  Franciscan  series,  except  for  an  area 
of  overlying,  younger  formations  in  the  southeastern  corner.  The  most 
important  mine  of  the  district  and  of  the  county  is  the  Oceanic. 

According  to  Forstner  :"■ 

"There  are  several  scattered  exposures  of  rh.volite  in  this  district,  which  apparently, 
however,  have  no  relation  to  the  location  of  tlie  ore  deposits.  There  are  very  clearly 
defined  lines  of  croppings,  liaving  a  northwestern  direction  ;  one,  starting  in  the 
Vulture  mine,  crosses  the  divide  and  runs  tlirough  a  part  of  Cooper  Creek  basin ; 
another,  starting  southwest  thereof,  crosses  the  divide  between  Cooper  and  Oceanic 
creeks,  on  the  ground  of  the  Oceanic  No.  2  mine,  and  runs  through  the  Oceanic  mine. 
,  A  third  line  of  croppings  lies  northeast  of  the  latter,  and  may  be  those  of  a  s?cond 
or  back  ledge  found  formerly  in  the  old  works  of  tunnel  No.  4  and  below  in  the 
upper  shaft  levels  of  the  Oceanic  mine.  These  croppings  go  some  distance  fartlier 
northwest,  but  do  not  reach  the  divide  between  Santa  Rosa  and  San  Simeon  creeks. 
On  this  divide  a  very  bold  line  of  croppings  starts  northward,  forming  a  contiguous 
line  of  bluffs  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  long,  flanked  on  both  sides  by  serpentine, 
which,  however,  appear  not  to  carry  any  cinnabar.  The  principal  material  of  the 
croppings  is  a  rather  light  gray,  flinty  ciuartz. 

"The  principal  rocks  e.xposed  at  the  surface  are,  besides  the  rhyolite  above  men- 
tioned, sandstone,  shales,  some  chert,  and  occasionally  some  serpentine.  The  sand- 
stone is  generally  much  decomposed,  with  a  brownish  or  greenish  gray  color,  but  not 
nearly  as  much  silicified  as  in  the  Adelaide  district.  The  deep  erosions  and  the  fact 
that  tlie  country  is  continually  sliding,  lead  to  the  supposition  that  a  large  part  of  the 
underhing  rock  is  more  or  less  serpentinized,  which  is  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  in 
most  of  the  gulches  the  hard  sandstone  is  found  underlaid  by  sliales  or  serpentine. 

"In  the  Lehman  property  the  younger  sandstones  are  found  impregnated  with 
cinnabar  in  close  vicinity  to  the  rocks  of  the  Franciscan  series,  which  would  tend  to 
show  that  the  period  of  ore  formation  was  posterior  to  that  of  the  deposition  of  those 
upper  Cretaceous  or  Eocene  rocks,  ^s  this  deposition  was  contemporaneous  with,  or 
closely  following,  a  strong  process  of  silicification,  the  higlily  siliceous  character  of 
the  ledge  matter  of  most  of  the  mines  is  readily  explained,  the  Franciscan  series 
having  already  undergone  a  prior  process  of  sillflcation." 


-Logan,  C.  A.,  et  ah  Mines  and  mineral  resources  of  Monterey  et  al.  counties  :  Cal. 
State  Min.  Bur..  Report  for  biennial  period,  1915-1916,  pp.  104-10.5,  1917.  Reprinted 
in  Report  XV,  p.   fi9S.   191S. 

'Forstner.  William,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California  :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur., 
Bull.   27,  p.   1.51.   190.1. 


12()  CALIKdl^XlA    STATK    .MINIXd'    BlRKAr. 

ADELAIDE    DISTRICT. 

The  Adelaick'  disti'ict  is  on  the  castri-ii  .slope  of  llic  Santa  I^uciu 
ranjie.  to  the  northea.st  of  the  Oeeanie  district,  and  covers  tlie  liead- 
watei's  of  Las  Tabhis  and  El  i'aso  de  Rohh's  creeks. 

'"The  rocks  of  this  district  belong  prominently  to  the  Francisc:in  or  metamoriiliic 
series,  principally  sandstones,  with  occasionall>'  some  shales,  and  in  a  few  places 
e.xposures  of  chert  l)eds.  One  wide  body  of  serpentine  is  found  at  Cypress  Mountain, 
extending  southward  past  the  headwaters  of  S;inta  Rosa  Creek.  The  wliole  belt  has 
a  northwest  trend,  and  a  narrower  and  shorter  belt  of  serpentine  lies  west  thereof.  In 
the  northern  part  of  the  district,  on  the  main  ridge,  north  of  Cypress  Mountain,  is  an 
exposure  of  rhyolite,  belonging  to  the  scattered  exposures  above  mentioned;  it  has  a 
northern  trend,  but  is  of  relatively  small  dimensions. 

"The  territory  comprising  this  district  must  at  one  time  have  been  covered  b>-  the" 
Chico  series.  It  is  Ijoundi'd  on  the  east  and  northeast  by  the  Cliico  sandstone,  and  in 
places  larger  and  smaller  patches  of  the  same  are  foimd  on  the  top  of  tlie  ridges,  the 
Franciscan  rocks  l)eing  exposed  lower  down  the  hillside  or  in  the  canons.  At  the  con- 
tact, the  Chico  .sandstones  are  so  much  broken  up  and  contorted  tliat  it  is  impossible 
to  give  any  idea  as  to  the  strike  and  dip  of  the  beds. 

"A  line  of  croppings  which  can  readily  be  followed  runs  in  a  northwesterly  direction 
through  this  district  ;  though  more  or  less  parallel  to  the  direction  of  the  main  ridge 
of  the  Santa  Lucia  range,  this  line  is  clearly  independent  thereof.  These  croppings, 
starting  from  the  southern  part  of  the  district  in  the  Madrone  property,  run  contin- 
uously through  the  La  Libertad,  Josephine.  Alice.  Modoc,  and  Elizalieth  mines.  Then 
they  become  much  less  prominent  and  only  show  occasionally  in  the  ridge  between 
Johnson  and  Carmine  creeks  and  farther  north  toward  the  Cypress  Mountain  group. 
The  Karl  and  Mahoney  mines  are  situated  on  a  belt  entirely  disconnected  from  these 
croppings. 

*  *  *  "The  cinnabar  is  often  accompanied  by  sensible  amoimts  of  iron  sulphides, 
which  by  their  oxidation  near  the  suiface  give  an  ochery  yellow  color  to  the  ore.  As 
a  rule,  the  ore  carries  more  iron  sulphides  as  the  cinnabar  contents  increase.  The  ore 
bodies  are  contiguous  to  more  or  less  extensive  strata  of  dark-gray  to  black-colored 
clays,  mixed  with  bowlders  of  lighter  gray-colored  sandstones.  They  are  of  the  same 
nature  as  that  of  the  black  clays,  generally  associated  with  quicksilver  deposits — 'alta.' 
only  here  they  are  almost  invariably  indiu-ated.  Their  outcrops  frequently  accompany 
those  of  the  ore  Ijodies  ;  they  are  of  a  light-gray  color,  liaving  the  appearance  of  a  f 
disintegrated  sandstone,  traversed  by  a  network  of  narrow  seams  of  an  ochreous 
yellow  color  :  in  places  small  inclusions  of  serpentine  are  found.  This  material,  while 
contigucus  to  the  ore  deposits,  is  always  barren  of  cinnabar." 

A  large  amount  of  work  has  been  done  in  this  district,  especially 
between  1867  and  1872.  Except  in  the  Klaii  mine,  sntificient  develop- 
ment work  has  not  been  done  to  enable  one  to  .iudge  as  to  the  character 
of  the  ore  bodies  in  depth. 

PINE  MOUNTAIN  DISTRICT. 
The  Pine  ^Mountain  District  is  sevei-al  niih's  to  the  nortliwest  of  the 
Oceanic  district,  around  Pine  ]Mountain.  and  coA^ering  the  lieadwaters 
of  Arroyo  del  Pinal  and  the  north  fork  of  San  Simeon  Creek.  The 
district  is  characterized  by  consideral)le  ('\i)osures  of  rliyolite.  which 
appear  in  a  series  of  knolls.  These  outcrop.s  are  not  continuous,  l)ut 
are  separated  bv  short  exposures  of  Franciscan  formations.  To  the 
west  lies  a  wide  belt  of  serpentine,  but  on  the  east,  serpentine  sliows 
only  at  tlie  Pine  ^Mountain  group.  .Xcar  Rocky  Butte,  the  Chico  saiul- 
stone  lies  close  to  the  igneous  rocks. 

SAN  CARPOJARO  DISTRICT. 
The  San  Carpojai'o  district  (not  shown  on  IMa1c  X  \' )  is  to  the  noi'th- 
wcst  of  the  Pine  .Mountain  district,  in  Ihe  extreme  northwestern  cor- 
ner of  San  Luis  Obispo  County  and  extending  over  the  line  into 
I\ronterey  County.  Between  San  Carpo.iaro  Creek  and  the  ocean,  the 
formal  ion    is   prominent  Iv   of  a    liiLiliK'  silicified   h'ranciscan  sandstone. 


^Forstner,  op.  cit.  p.  I.0O. 


(,)  r  K"  KS 1 1  ,\'  KK    K  KSOURCES. 


127 


To  11i<^  ojist  of  the  creek  and  fonnin,u'  the  backbone  of  the  lUHiii  ridge  is 
a  wide  belt  of  serpentine,  along  whieli,  on  its  western  line,  rnn.s  a  belt 
(if  (Toppings  in  which  cinnabar  has  been  fonnd  on  the  iiorthern  water- 
sIuhI  of  Salmon  Creek.  In  the  basin  forming  the  headwaters  of  the 
west  fork  of  San  Carpojaro  Creek  is  a  minor,  parallel  belt  of  serpentine 
to  the  west  of  which  are  the  croi)pings  in  which  the  Dntro  mine  is 
fonnd. 

Timber  ancJ  transportation. 

Timber  is  rather  scattered  and  scarce  in  these  districts,  except 
around  Cypress  Monntain  between  the  Oceanic  and  Adelaide  districts, 
and  in  the  Pine  IMonntain  district.  The  Oceanic  mine,  at  the  present 
time,  o])tains  its  mine  timbers  and  fuel  mainly  from  Pine  ]\Ionntain. 
The  transportation  outlet  for  the  districts  on  the  west  slope  is  via 
steamer  at  San  Simeon  and  Cayucos,  12  to  19  miles;  and  for  the  Ade- 
laide district,  to  the  railroad  at  Paso  Robles,  16  to  20  miles  distant  on 
the  east. 

ProcJuction. 

The  total  recorded  production  of  the  quicksilver  mines  of  San  Luis 
Obispo  County  is  shown  by  the  following  tabulation.  There  are  no 
figures  available  for  the  years  previous  to  1876,  though  some  small 
properties  are  known  to  have  been  in  operation.  Their  output  was 
combined  in  the  published  data  with  that  of  other  small  mines  of  the 
state  under  the  heading  'Various  IMines'. 

Quicksilver  Pro(duction   of  San    Luis  Obispo  County. 


Year 


1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
1894 
1895 
1896 
1897 
1898 
1899 
1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1904 


Flasks 


Value 


Tear 


6,428 

3,310 

2,151 

779 


$282,8!]2 

123,468 

70,768 

2,358 


20 

800 

101 

3.400 

101 

3,939 

384 

11,660 

394 

17,700 

515 

23.8^^6 

840 

41.513 

3,312 

147.215 

4,577 

1F3  5:'0 

4,746 

176.616 

1905    

1906   

lf;07   

1908   

1909    

1910    

1911    

1912    

1913    

1914    

1915    

1916    

1917    

Totals 


Flasks 


Value 


,733 
,511 
,509 
867 
317 
563 
569 
666 
,160 
.266 
,473 
227 
,565 


47,084 


$133,748 

128,152 

95,743 

36.648 

15,510 

25,476 

26,180 

27,998 

46,667 

62,097 

125,542 

114,724 

151,034 

$2,079,199 


Benton  Ranch  Deposit.  (Lehman  Mine.).  This  property,  formerly 
known  as  the  Lehman,  is  in  Sec.  13,  T.  27  S.,  R.  9  E.,  12  miles  from 
Cambria.  It  is  on  the  continuation  of  the  'mudrock'  zone  which  has 
l)i-oven  so  productive  in  tlie  Oceanic  mine.  Some  develoi)ment  work 
has  been  done,  principally  in  the  fiu'iii  of  a  tunnel  in  nearly  SOO'  from 


128  CALIFORNIA    STATK    MIXING  BUREAU. 

■which  short  drifts  have  hccii  niii  and  which  are  stated  to  show  pi-oni- 
isinsi"  prospects.     Thei'e  is  no  reduction  (Mniipiiient   as  yet. 

Bil)l.  :    Cm,.    St.VTE   ]\Iin.    IWk.,    I\e|)01't    X\\    ]).    711;    ('ha[)tel-    l'e[». 
l)ien.  period.  IDl.VlDKi.  p.  117:  Uuil.  -!7.  p.  161. 

Cambria  Mine  (fonuerly  tlie  Bank  Mine).  Cambria  Quicksilver 
'Co.,  owner;  II.  K.  Gaye,  president.  12.");)  St.  Andrews  Place,  Los 
Angeles ;  E.  W.  Carson,  agent,  Cambria ;  located  in  Sec.  36,  T.  26  S.,  R. 
,8  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  13  miles  north  of  Cambria  by  road  and  11  miles  from 
San  Simeon,  the  steamer  shipping  point.  The  holdings  consist  of  min- 
eral rights  on  360  acres.  This  mine  was  first  exploited  in  11)03  by  E. 
S.  Rigdon  and  made  a  notable  output  of  quicksilver  between  IDO.")  and 
1908.  It  is  credited  with  a  total  of  4135  tiasks  to  date.  The  surface 
showings  were  quite  poor  but  exploration  underground  revealed  an  ore- 
body  of  considerable  size,  and  quite  rich.  The  present  owners  obtained 
the  property  in  1905,  but  they  carried  development  work  for  a  year 
before  erecting  a  reduction  plant.  A  tunnel  800'  long  was  driven  to 
use  in  handling  the  ore  and  from  this  a  cut  200'  long  was  driven  into 
the  ore-body  which  proved  to  be  vei-y  flat  and  to  consist  of  a  zone  of 
Ijrecciated  serpentine  about  40'  thick,  dipping  northeast.  When  the 
icompany  had  carried  development  work  underground  to  the  point 
where  they  were  convinced  of  the  value  of  the  ore  body,  they  erected  a 
furnace.  During  the  18  months  ensuing,  operations  were  very  satis- 
factory. An  ore  body  180'  long.  40'  wide  and  150'  in  height  was 
worked  out  l)y  stoping  and  yielded  3927  flasks.  The  ore  averaged 
0.38'/  mercury  (7.6  lb.  per  ton).  Square  setting  was  used  but  not- 
withstanding this  the  cost  of  production  per  flask  was  very  hnv.  l)eing 
stated  as  .$26.03. 

The  ore  carried  little  or  no  iron  sulphide  and  gave  little  trouhh'  in 
the  furnace.  Early  in  1908  the  ore  gave  out,  the  body  apparently 
being  cut  otf  either  from  faulting  or  sliding.  Operations  were  sus- 
pended till  the  fall  of  1!:M5.  when  prospecting  began  on  a  series  of  crop- 
pings  north  of  and  slightly  higher  than  the  old  mine.  There  ai'e  3 
deposits,  more  or  less  i)arallel  but  not  overlapping,  l)eing  in  a  sort 
of  step|)ed  relation  extending  northerly  and  separated  by  spaces  of  4 
and  1/8  mile  respectively.  I'l)  to  December,  1915,  about  1400'  of  new 
drifts  had  be(Mi  driven  on  two  levels  and  crosscuts  totaling  over  400' 
as  well  as  about  300'  of  raises  and  winzes.  All  this  was  done  by  iiand 
drilling,  and  was  at  times  in  heavy  ground.  The  main  croppings. 
which  show  on  the  surface  foi-  70(1'  Imve  been  followed  underground 
for  hall'  that  distance.  Suiierlicially  a  rather  flinty  am!  ochi'eous  crop- 
ping, the  appearance  uiiderLircund  is  that  of  au  intensely  lirecciated 
serpentine  carrying  small    stringers  of   i-icli   ore   in   a   siliceous  gangue, 


( 


y— 3>r>-io 


1:^0 


CAUKOKMA    STATK    MIN'I\(;    BUREAU. 


and  (Mialiii.us  of  ciiiiKibMr  on  llic  sorpeiitine  fragments.  The  miner- 
alized zone  iis  I'cvcjilcd  ;il  tlijil  time  was  about  20'  in  avera^'e  width, 
witli  a  dip  of  about  40"^  N.  and  strike  of  a  few  degrees  X.  of  W. 
Throughout  its  width  proinincnt  sti-caks  of  chirk  clay  selvage  occnr.  and 
in  places  t'oim  an  'alta,'  hnt  the  country  rock  is  serpentine  (;n  both 
sides.     As  above  noted,  the  gronnd  is  heavy,  and  carries  a  good  deal  of     ' 


Photo   No.   27.      Detail    of    tramway    and    ore-bin,    Cambria    Mine,    San    Luis 
Obispo   County.      Photo  by   E.   W.    Carson. 

water  in  phices.     Square  setting  with   i-ound  tiinbci-s  is  cniploycd  and 
close  lagging  is  needed  at  times. 

The  furnace  was  |»nt  in  operation  in  the  snninier  of  1915  on  surface 
ore  of  low  grade  from  the  croppings,  bnt  considerable  dif'ticulty 
resulted,  as  the  rock  was  a  chiyey,  highly  altered  serpentine,  eari-ying 
considerable  water.  In  (October,  the  reduction  of  ore  fi-oni  the  niKh'r- 
groiind  woi'kintis  beizan.  and   |>rodueti(>n  eonlinned  up  to  Aniinst.  IDlii. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  131 

Since  that  date,  the  property  has  been  icUe;  but  it  is  reported  flint  tlun-e 
are  prospects  of  a  reopening-  this  spring  (191S). 

The  reduction  e(iuii^inent  includes  a  50-ton  Scott  furnace  l)uilt  in 
l!K»ti  at  a  cast  of  $30,000,  with  8  brick  condensers,  one  'D'  retort,  an 
>"xl2"  Hercules-Blake  crusher,  and  a  40  h.  p.  Fairbanks-]\Iorse  com- 
pressor. From  mine  to  eru.sher  the  ore  is  hand-trammed  in  one-ton 
cars.  Storage  equipment  consists  of  two  bins  with  a  total  capacity  of 
1500  tons.  To  carry  the  ore  from  crusher  to  storage  bins,  a  Broderiek 
and  Bascom  two-bucket  tramway  system  was  installed  in  1915.  at  a 
i-ost  of  .$6,000  (see  Photo  No.  27).  This  handles  the  ore  for  a  dis- 
tance of  3000'  at  the  rate  of  6^  tons  an  hour  and  dumps  into  the 
upper  ore  bin  from  Avhich  it  is  trammed  to  a  lower  bin  and  to  the 
furnace.  When  operated  in  1915-1916,  the  ore  was  roasted  24  hours 
at  a  somewhat  higher  temperature  than  usual.  The  furnace  and  con- 
densers are  in  excellent  condition ;  the  air  is  excluded  as  much  as  prac- 
ticable from  the  furnace  and  the  formation  of  excessive  amount  of  soot 
is  avoided.  Labor  was  cheap ;  miners  were  paid  .$2.50  and  muckers 
.$2.00  per  day.  Total  cost  of  mining  including  overhead,  in  1907.  was 
$1.66  per  ton  :  liut  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  cost  of  square-set 
timbering  contributes  largely  to  this  item.  A  considerable  increase  in 
the  cost  of  timber  is  noticeable  in  8  years.  In  1907.  lagging  cost  $8 
to  $12  per  thousand;  but  in  1915,  $20.  Timber  which  was  then 
obtainable  for  3^^-  to  5^'  a  running  foot,  increased  to  6c.  These 
advances  and  other  slight  increases  in  transportation  brought  the  1915 
mining  cost  to  about  $2.00  per  ton.  Treatment  cost  $0.82  per  ton. 
'Jakwood  cost  $6.00  per  ccrd  delivered,  and  the  furnace  burns  1^  cords 
per  day.  The  retort  burns  ^  cord  per  day  for  about  7  days  per  month 
when  the  furnace  is  working  steadily.  Other  general  expense,  aside 
from  superintendent's  salary,  was  20^  per  ton,  making  a  total  oper- 
ating cost  for  the  1907  period  of  $2.68  per  ton,  and  for  1915  of  .$3.00 
l>er  ton.  Transportation  to  or  from  San  Simeon,  the  shippiiiu'  point, 
was  $5.00  per  ton. 

Power  for  the  tram  and  the  rock  crusher  is  furnished  hy  an  Otto 
gas  engine  of  12^  h.  p.  burning  distillate.  The  cost  per  horsepower- 
hour  was  stated  at  1^^-.  The  rock  crusher  requires  two-thirds  of  the 
power  generated.  The  total  crew  last  employed  was  34.  distributed 
as  follows:  22  undergroiind.  4  on  toj)  at  the  mine,  and  8  at  the  fiii'iiace. 

Bibl.:  C.\L.  St.\te  :\1ix  Bur.,  Report  XV.  pj).   700-705:  Chapter 
rep.  hieii.  i)ei-iod.  1915-191(i.  pp.  KHi-lll;  Bull.  27.  p.   154. 

Capitola  Mine  and  Santa  Monica  Claim.  Felipe  ]\I.  Villegas,  AVm. 
Lane  and  L'has.  Pemberton,  ownei-s.  Klau.  This  gi-oup  is  in  Sec.  33, 
T.  26  S..  R.  10  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  adjoining  the  Klau  mine  on  the  ea.st  and 


]32  C.\I,IK(»KMA    STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

south.  alxMit  1-')  miles  west  from  Paso  Robles.  Tn  tlic  Cjipitola,  ore  was 
struck  at  WO'  in  tlic  lower  tunnel  and  followed  for  70',  being  stoped 
out  two  sets  wide  for  "J;")  in  length,  in  lilKi.  Some  work  was  done  by 
lessees  in  191 5-1 !)]().  but  this  tunnel  i.s  now  caved.  The  total  output 
has  been  24  Hasks.  The  formations  are  the  same  as  in  the  Klau  mine, 
of  Avhich  the  (yapitola  is  an  extension  heiiig  saiulstone  and  serpentine 
with  considerable  clay  (probably  an  attrition  product).  In  addition 
to  some  cinnabar,  the  clay  carries  considerable  pyrite  in  crystals  as 
large  as  ^"  on  an  edge  and  often  in  aggregates  of  several  inches  in 
diameter  where  the  crystals  are  intergrown.  The  outcrop  is  highly 
ochreous  and  does  not  show  any  cinnabar  to  the  naked  eye,  but  is 
stated  to  pan  0.25%  quicksilver.  The  strike  is  northwest.  The  reduc- 
tion plant  consists  of  a  24"  'D'  retort  with  capacity  of  1000  pounds  of 
ore  per  day.  and  two  concrete-covered  condensers  4'x4'x6'.  lu 
February,  1918,  development  work  had  been  resumed. 

The  Santa  Monica  claim  was  located  by  Villegas  in  1917,  on  a 
parallel  vein  on  the  south  side  of  the  Klau  mine,  but  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  creek.  When  visited  by  the  writer  in  September.  15'  of 
tunnel  had  been  driven.  The  formations  and  ore  shown  ai'e  similar 
to  those  on  the  adjoining  properties. 

Bibl. :  Cal.   State  ]\Iin.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  705;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  111. 

Glaus  Group.  C.  P.  and  Cecelia  Clans,  owners,  Santa  Margarita. 
This  group  of  4  claims  is  in  Sec.  28,  T.  ;}()  S.,  R.  14  E..  M.  D.  :\1..  11 
miles  southeast  of  Santa  INIargarita  and  adjacent  to  the  Rinconada 
Group.  Claim  No.  1  covers  the  old  Pedro  mine  which  has  bei'ii  i)ros- 
pected  considerably,  and  ('laim  No.  4  has  a  75'  tunnel  which  shows  a 
promi.se  of  ore.  The  geology  of  this  district  is  covered  in  the  descrip- 
tion of  the  Rinconada  group,  where  developments  justify  fui-ther  work. 
Assessment  work  is  maintained  and  in  1915  some  ore  was  taken  from 
near  the  surface  and  hauled  to  the  pipe  retorts  on  the  Rinconada 
claims. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV.  p.  70B ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period.  191 5-191  (i.  [).  112;  Hull.  27.  p.  166. 

Cypress  Mountain  Group.  W.  S.  Forrington.  owner.  Paso  Robles. 
There  have  l)een  no  new  developments  recently  at  this  property, 
although  assessment  work  is  maintained  fi-om  year  to  year.  The 
claims  are  in  Sees.  1  ami  2  of  T.  27  S..  \l  9  K..  M.  1).  M.,  about  sixteen 
miles  from  r'aml)i-ia.      All  the  work  done  in  ri'cent  years  has  been  of  a 


(^ri(M<SII,VER   RESOURCES.  133 

superlieial    ;uid    (.k'sultury    nature,    and    the    old    workings    are    mostly 
caved.     Elevation.  2900  feet. 

Bibl. :  Cal.   State  Mix.  Bfr..  Report  XV.  p.   706;   Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period  1915-1916,  p.  112;  Bull.  27.  p.  156. 

Deer  Trail  Mine.  H.  H.  Carpenter,  John  AV.  Adams.  AVm.  Arebalo, 
owners.  San  Luis  Obispo.  This  group  consisting  of  two  claims  and  a 
millsite,  is  on  Holt  Canon,  in  Sec.  29  ( ?),  T.  32  S.,  R.  16  E.,  M.  D.  M., 
about  7  miles  east  of  Huasna  pest  oflfice,  and  20  miles  from  the  Pacific 
Coast  Railroad  at  Arroyo  Grande.  Like  the  Rinconada  mine,  from 
which  it  is  distant  about  15  miles  southeasterly,  the  Deer  Trail  mine 
is  in  a  locality  entirely  separate  from  the  main  producing  quicksilver 
section  of  San  Luis  Obispo  County  which  is  in  the  northwestern  corner. 
The  Deer  Trail  group  was  located  in  1915,  and  in  1916  a  12-pipe  retort 
was  built,  Avhicli  in  3  months  in  the  late  summer  is  stated  to  have  pro- 
duced 70  flasks  of  quicksilver.  The  deposit  is  at  the  top  of  a  sugar- 
loaf  butte.  At  the  surface,  the  ore  shoot  was  2'6"  wide,  but  it  split  up 
into  several  seams  over  a  width  of  4'  at  30'  depth,  being  worked  by 
underhand  stoping.  Following  that,  an  adit  was  driven  from  below, 
and  connected  with  the  stope.  The  mine  was  not  visited  by  the  writer, 
but  samples  of  the  ore  were  submitted.  The  rock  is  weathered  and 
ochreous,  and  appears  to  be  a  metamorphic  sandstone,  with  the  cinna- 
bar occurring  crystallized  in  botryoidal  aggregates  and  vugs  in  a  vein 
breccia.  It  is  accompanied  by  coarsely  crystalline  calcite.  The  prop- 
erty was  idle  during  1917,  owing  to  disagreement  among  the  ow'ners. 

Doty  Group.  Doty  Bros.,  owners.  Cambria.  The  holdings  comprise 
5  unpatented  claims  in  Sec.  14.  T.  26  S.,  R.  8  E.,  M.  D.  M..  north  of 
Cambria,  including  the  Quien  Sabe  group  which  has  been  consolidated 
with  the  Doty  claims.  There  are  several  tunnels,  one  of  which  is  200' 
long  and  has  been  driven  in  a  black  clay  gouge.  They  have  been  work- 
ing on  and  off  for  about  12  years.  In  September,  1917,  some  caved 
ground  was  being  reopened.     There  is  no  reduction  equipment. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Mix.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  pp.  706,  719;  Chapter 
rep.  bien.  period.  1915-1916,  pp.  112,  125;  Bull.  27,  pp.  156,  165. 

Elizabeth  and  Winona  Group.  Airs.  J.  W.  Bagby,  AY.  C.  Bagby  et 
al..  owners.  Paso  Robles.  It  comprises  two  locations  in  Sec.  17,  T.  27 
S..  R.  10  E..  AI.  D.  AL,  13  miles  from  Cambria.  The  claims  lie  between 
the  Little  Bonanza  and  La  Libertad  properties,  and  exhibit  similar 
croppings  to  those  of  the  former.  The  work  has  been  superficial,  and 
for  several  years  was  entirely  suspended.     Some  prospecting  has  been 


l.U 


CALIFORNIA    STATK    MININC    I'.CREAT' 


done  till'  past  two  years.      There  was  a  small  productiun  years  ago  but 
the  l()-i)ijio  retort   is  no  loiiiiei'  iisahle. 

I>il)l.:   Cm,.   St.vtk  Mix.    liru..    Keport    W.   p.   TdT :   ("liai)tei'  i-ep. 
hieu.  period.  li)15-li)l(J,  p.  JKJ;  Bull.  No.  27.  p.  LIT. 

Josephine  Group  (also  known  locally  as  the  Tartaglia  Group;  also 
George  Mine).  .)oe  Tai-taglia.  owner.  Klaii  post  ofh'ce.  It  consists  of 
two  claims  in  Sec.  2!),  T.  21  S..  H.  1(1  K..  M.  J).  M.,  20  miles  west  of 
Paso  Rubles,  elevation  al)out  1!)0()'.  The  original  discovery  was  made 
in  1S()2.  A  furnace  was  built,  and  the  dum[)  indicates  consitlerable 
oi'e  was  burned,  but  the  j)lant  has  long  since  gone  to  {)ieces,  and  there 
are  no  segregated  records  of  the  output.  The  works  are  all  superficial, 
the  ore  being  similar  to  that  of  the  Little  Bonanza  nearby.  There  is 
one  tunnel  in  150  feet,  opening  up  a  vein  12'  wide.  A  small  amount 
of  development  work  is  being  done  to  cover  the  annual  assessment. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Keport  XV,  j).  720;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period.  1915-1916,  p.  126;  Bull.  27.  p.  157. 


Photo    No.   28.      Old   coarse-ore   quicksilver   turnace.    erected    1873,   at    Keystone    Miiie.    ijan    Luis 

Obispo   County     Photo   by   E.   W.    Carson. 

Keystone  Mine.  IMielan  IJi'os..  owners,  Cambria.  It  is  on  patented 
l.md  on  the  Ihink  of  Rocky  I'.ntte.  in  Sec.  1:5.  T.  26  S..  K\  S  E.,  M.  I). 
.M..   16  miles  ea.st  of  San  Simeon   l)y   road.      This   pi'opertx-   was  located 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  135 

in  the  early  seventies  and  has  ht'eu  eredited  in  former  i-eporls  with 
considerabh'  produetion.  The  furnace  and  condensers,  shown  in  the 
pliotograph  (No.  28),  were  completed  late  in  1874  and  the  mine  pro- 
duced about  60  flasks  of  quicksilver  in  1875,  according  to  the  best 
information  obtainable,  and  which  seems  to  be  the  only  production  of 
whicli  there  is  record.  The  furnace  is  of  the  old  coarse-ore  type  of 
5  tons  eapacity  and  there  are  6  of  the  sheet-iron  condensers.  The 
whole  plant  is  quite  an  interesting  relic,  as  most  of  such  equipment  has 
long  since  disappeared.  The  underground  workings  consisted  of  a 
tunnel  said  to  have  been  about  300'  long  with  a  winze  sunk  from  it  to 
a  depth  of  50',  but  both  have  been  inaccessible  for  years.  It  is  stated 
that  the  winze  was  in  good  ore  when  work  was  abandoned.  The  out- 
crop shows  cinnabar  in  highly  altered  serpentine,  with  a  black  clay 
'alta'  and  a  serpentine  footwall,  striking  E.,  and  dipping  40°  N.  In 
1916  and  1917,  some  work  was  done  by  the  owners,  intermittently,  in 
driving  a  tunnel  on  the  level  of  the  old  main  tunnel  to  reach  the 
reputed  rich  ore  in  the  winze.  In  September,  they  still  had  40'-50' 
to  drive  before  reaching  the  old  stopes. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X.  p.  581;  XV,  pp.  113- 
114;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  113.  Min.  Res. 
W.  OP  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14. 

Kismet  Group.  Three  claims  in  Sec.  7,  T.  27  S.,  R.  10  E.,  M.  D.  M., 
in  the  Adelaide  district.     Idle. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  114:  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  114;  Bull.  27.  p.  159. 

Klau  Mine  (oi-iginally  calKHl  Sunderland;  Santa  Cruz;  also  known 
as  the  Karl,  or  Sierra  Morena).  Owners:  Antone  Luehessa.  San  Luis 
Obispo,  E.  Bianchini  and  Wm.  Bagby,  Paso  Robles.  The  group 
includes  3  claims  and  a  mill  site  as  well  as  the  mineral  rights  on  cer- 
tain adjacent  land,  being  in  Sec.  33,  T.  26  S.,  R.  10  E..  M.  D.  M.,  at  an 
elevation  of  1400'  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Sierra  Santii  Lucia,  16 
miles  west  of  Paso  Robles.  The  original  Iccation  was  made  in  1868 
and  it  was  among  the  list  of  producing  quicksilver  properties  in  1874, 
though  no  segregated  record  of  output  is  available  till  1876,  when  the 
mine  yielded  1590  flasks  of  mercury  with  a  furnaci^  of  only  15  tons 
daily  capacity.  The  recorded  production  from  187()  to  1879  was  1777 
flasks.  No  further  output  is  shown  till  1895,  although  development 
work  was  going  on  for  several  years  [H'evious.  the  faihu-e  to  strike  ore 
being  due  to  ill-advised  mining  methods,  according  to  local  re[)oi't. 
Intermittent  work  w;is  done  without  iiiiieli  production  till  1901.  In 
the  following  year  the  Klau  was  the  foui-th  largest  pi'odueei-  in  the 
state  and  the  chief  mine  of  the  county  in  jxiint  of  output  \\  ith  a  yield 


136 


CALIl'OKMA    SI'ATE   MINING  BUREAU, 


of  approxiiiialc'ly  ;>;5()(l  flasks,  as  tlic  Oceanic  furnace  was  not  started 
till  the  fall  of  the  year.  Work  eontiiined,  with  an  8-tile,  60-ton  Scott 
furnace  and  8  condensers  lill  lildS,  in  which  year  the  only  outi)ut  was 
made  from  cleaninu  out  ohl  condensers.  Another  period  of  inactivity 
ensued,  and  in  1911  the  wooden  structure  over  the  furnace  and  con- 


Photo  No.  28a.  Klau  Mine.  San  Luis  Obispo  County.  Old  stopes  and  drifts 
exposed  by  later,  open-cut  operations.  Looking  northeast  across  the 
strike   of   the   ore   zone. 

densers  was  burned   (see  Photo  No.  56,  post).     The  recorded  produc- 
tion of  the  Klau  mine  totals  14.213  flasks,  to  the  end  of  1917. 

There  appears  to  Itc  a  mineralized  /xme  200'-300'  wide  running- 
through  the  property  N.  of  W.,  within  which  the  ore  shoots  are  segre- 
gated along  two  priiicipjil  lines  oi-  'veins'.  Large  opencuts  and 
extensive  undergi-oiiiid  workings  have  Ix'cn  made.     The  geology  of  the 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  137 

mine  was  deserilit'd  in  considerable  detail  by  Forstner/  who  states  that 
there  were  two  main  ledges  developed,  running  nearly  parallel  N.  50° 
W.,  dipping  NE.,  but  approaching  each  other  on  the  dip.  The  more 
southwesterly  ledge  is  locally  called  the  serpentine  ledge.  Its  footwall 
is  a  belt  of  serpentine  from  20'-40'  wide,  rather  siliceous  in  places,  to 
ehalcedonic  in  character.  This  serpentine  does  not  appear  at  the  sur- 
face, but  is  capped  to  a.  depth  of  20'-30'  by  the  croppings  of  the  gouge 
accompanying  the  ore  deposit.  The  ledge  matter  of  this  orebody  is 
loose,  coarsely-granular  quartz,  carrying  iron  and  mercury  sulphides. 
In  this  loose  quartz  are  found  boulders  of  very  hard  ehalcedonic  quartz 
and  of  a  laminated,  somewhat  calcareous  material.  Some  of  the 
boulders  carry  visible  amounts  of  cinnabar  and  pyrite;  others  are 
entirely  barren,  and  their  relation  to  the  surrounding  country  rock  is 
not  clear.  The  hanging-wall  of  this  'ledge,'  which  forms  also  the  foot- 
wall  of  the  second  ledge  above  mentioned,  is  a  slightly  metamorphosed 
sandstone.  This  parallel  ledge  forms  in  what  appears  to  be  a  brec- 
eiated  zone  of  country  rock,  probably  of  cpiartzose  character,  but  hav- 
ing some  clay  in  it,  probably  an  attrition  product.  This  ore  contains 
considerable  pyrite  and  some  free  sulphur.  Both  these  ledges  are 
developed  by  the  60°  inclined  shaft  sunk,  it  is  stated,  to  a  depth  of 
800',  but  a  large  amount  of  drifting  and  crosscutting  failed  to  reveal 
workable  ore  on  the  lower  levels.  These  workings  became  so  extensive 
that  a  raise  to  the  surface  for  ventilation  was  required,  and  in  the 
course  of  driving  it  the  best  orebody  found  in  the  mine  was  uncovered. 
These  old  workings  are  now  largely  caved,  and  inaccessible.  In  some 
of  the  later  operations,  large  open  cuts  were  made  (see  Photo  No. 
28A).  The  cinnabar  is  crystalline,  occurring  in  part  as  .stringers,  in. 
part  disseminated,  and  on  fracture  faces.  In  some  of  the  old  work- 
ings, particularly  in  the  'serpentine  ledge,'  there  are  abundant 
efflorescences  of  epsomite  and  iron  salts. 

At  the  southeast  end,  the  ore  zone  either  becomes  wider  or  it  splits 
and  the  Capitola  mine  is  on  one  branch  and  the  Mahoney  mine  on  the 
other. 

In  1915,  a  lessee  did  some  superficial  work,  confining  himself  to 
searching  for  small,  high-grade  pockets  along  the  outcrop.  He  waa 
successful  in  finding  several  such,  from  which  the  broken  ore  wa,s  hand- 
sorted,  and  the  richer  material  hauled  on  a  sled  to  the  retort.  This 
method  of  handling  brought  his  co.st  per  ton  to  about  $6,  but  the  grade 
of  the  resulting  ore  was  .such  as  to  yield  a  net  profit  as  high  as  $28 
per  ton,  some  of  the  rock  giving  1.5^^  mercury.  Considerable  work 
was  done  by  the  owners  in  1916  and  1917,  mostly  in  reclaiming  ore 
from  around  the  old  stopes  and  open  cuts,  and  about  30  flasks  of  quick- 


^Forstner,    William,    Quicksilver    Resources    of    California:    Cal.    State    Min.    Bur., 
Bull.  27.  pp.  157-159,  1903. 


138  CALIFORXIA   STATE    MIXING  BUREAU. 

silver  [)vv  iiioiitli  wci'c  i)i-()(liicfd  in  ilu-  first  hall'  of  11)17,  with  2  banks 
of  12-pipe  Johnson-McKay  retorts  (see  Photo  No.  44.  post).  At  the 
south  end.  a  new  adit  was  stalled  in  the  footwall  side  of  the  ore  zone. 
At  the  time  of  tlie  writer's  visit  in  Sepieiiil)ei-.  11M7.  the  retorts  were 
idle,  hilt  some  ore  was  beiny-  aeciiimdated  from  the  o]ierationsof  two 
men  who  were  takinu  out  hand-sorted  ore  from  the  upper  edi>e  of  old 
fo  .stope  at  the  east  end.  They  expected  soon  to  resume  retorting. 
Wood  for  fuel,  mostly  live  oak,  is  almndant  nearby.  Formerly  it  cost 
$3.50  to  .$4.00  per  cortl  delivered:  l)ut  this  has  increased  to  .$4.50,  being 
$2.00  for  cutting  and  $2.50  for  hauling. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur..  Reports  IV,  p.  336  (table);  X,  p. 
580:  XII,  p.  366;  XIII,  p.  600;  XV.  pp.  709-711;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  pp.  115-117;  Bull.  27,  p.  157.  U.  S. 
G.- S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  382;  Min.  Res.  1902;  1906,  p.  492;  1908, 
1910;  1912.  p.  943.  Min.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14: 
1876,  p.  20.     ]\IiN.  &  Sci.  Press,  Nov.  12,  1904. 

La  Libertad  Mine.  G.  A.  Trafton,  manager,  Watsonville.  This 
mine  is  in  the  Adelaide  district,  in  Sec.  21,  T.  27  S.,  R.  10  E.,  M.  D.  .M., 
about  20  miles  west  of  Paso  Robles,  at  an  elevation  of  1900'.  In  1915- 
1916  it  was  operated  under  lease  by  the  Belt  Quicksilver  ]\Iining  Com- 
pany, which  has  since  dissolved,  the  mine  being  at  present  idle.  Con- 
siderable work  has  been  done,  development  having  been  carried  on 
mainly  through  3  tunnels:  and  some  fair  orebodies  were  stoix'd  out. 
The  company's  report  of  March  1.  1!)15.  states  that  there  were  1000' 
of  drifts,  raises  and  slopes.  The  work  underground  revealed  an 
irregular  ore  body  dipping  at  different  angles,  which  had  a  width  of 
20'  to  25'  and  has  been  worked  by  slopes  of  40'  to  60'  in  length.  New 
work  was  being  done  in  driving  a  ero.sscut  off  the  lowest  drift,  which 
showed  some  ore.  The  cinnabar  is  in  the  form  of  small  crystals  with 
silica  in  a  highly  metamor|)liosi'(l  I'ock  which  has  been  classed  as  ser- 
pentine, and  which  shows  a  rather  soft  clayey  texture.  The  ore  is  near 
the  contact  witli  a  dark  chiy  footwall  which  carries  sandstone  in  small 
rounded  Ixxilders  and  shows  calcite  stringers,  as  well  as  the  charac- 
teristic epsomitc  ellloivscences.  The  reduction  e(|nii)iiient  consists  of  a 
12-pipe  retoi-t.  in  good  order. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  St.u'e  :\l!X.  Bur.,  Report  XV.  p.  700:  Chapter  rep. 

bien.  period.  1015-1916.  p.   106:  P.uli.  27.  p.   159. 

Little  Bonanza  Mine  (originally  Josephine;  lati'i-  Alice  and  Modoc). 
]\Irs.  Korl)es  (an  eastern  estate),  owner:  R.  \V.  I'ntnam.  aiivid.  San 
Luis  Obispo,  Cal.  This  the  lirst  (piicksilver  mine  woi-ked  in  San  Luis 
Obispo  County,  consists  of  2  patented  claims  in  Sec.  17.  T.  27  S..  R. 
K)    K..   M.    1).    .M..   about    20   miles   east    of    Paso   Robles.   and    near   the 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  139 

sumiuit  of  the  iSaiita  Liu-ia  divith';  elevation  2(M»ti'.  In  1915  and 
1916,  it  was  operated  under  lease  by  E.  S.  Rigdon  &  E.  liianeliini 
of  Cambria,  who  produced  a  fair  amount  of  metal  witli  a  12-pipe  retort; 
hut  the  property  was  idlr  wlicn  visited  by  the  writer  in  September, 
1917. 

The  original  discovery  is  said  to  have  been  made  in  1862  liy  ]Mex- 
icans.  The  temporary  closing  of  the  New  Almaden  ]Mine  prompted 
the  purchase  of  this  property  by  ^Messrs.  Barron  &  Company.  Con- 
siderable money  was  spent  in  development  and  an  8-ton  furnace  was 
put  up.  An  adverse  report  on  the  property  by  its  superintendent, 
and  the  reopening  of  the  New  Almaden.  led  to  the  abandonment  of  the 
Josephine.  In  later  work,  several  bodies  of  ore  were  taken  out  by 
stoping:  two  in  particular  showing  a  thickness  of  10'.  The  ore  shoot 
has  been  stoped  out  for  about  200'  along  the  strike,  which  is  S.  of  W., 
with  dip  S..  about  30^  at  the  surface,  but  steeper  in  the  lower  tunnel. 
It  appears  to  be  cut  off  by  a  cross  slip  near  the  lower  level  which  is 
down  about  200'  on  the  dip  of  the  vein,  but  the  displacement  may  not 
be  great.  The  stopes  are  np  to  20'  wide.  Much  of  the  work  done, 
however,  has  taken  the  form  of  gouging  out  rich  bunches.  These 
stopes  have  broken  through  to  the  surface.  In  the  upper  workings, 
there  were  2  parallel  shoots  stoped  out,  leaving  a  pillar  of  15'-20' 
between.  The  ore  is  in  the  form  of  a  network  of  cinnabar  veinlets, 
and  cinnabar  on  fracture  faces,  in  a  silicified,  altered  serpentine.  On 
the  footwall  there  is  a  gouge  with  brecciated  masses.  The  hanging  wall 
is  serpentine.     There  has  been  no  stoping,  as  yet,  on  the  lowest  level. 

Bibl. :  C.vL.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X.  p.  580;  XV.  p.  711-. 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916.  p.  117;  Bull.  27,  p.  154. 
^IiN.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14. 

Madrone  Mine.  John  Carmine,  owner.  Cayucos.  This  is  in  Sec.  22, 
T.  27  S.,  R.  10  E..  adjacent  to  La  Libertad  mine.  It  was  worked  about 
1900  and  considerable  mercury  recovered  by  retorting,  lint  no  depth 
was  attained  in  any  of  the  operations.  The  croppings  are  similar  to 
those  in  the  Little  Bonanza,  and  La  Libertad,  Some  small  rich 
bunches  of  ore  are  present  both  in  the  characteristic  siliceous  gangue 
and  in  a  softer  ochreous  material,  and  the  wall  rocks  are  similar  to 
those  in  the  two  properties  above  mentioned. 

In  addition  to  the  mineral  found  in  place,  there  are  several  bodies 
of  material  scattered  over  the  property  where  free  mercury  can  be 
panned  out.  It  is  found  in  the  loose  soil  and  is  probably  the  weathered 
product  of  a  one-time  outcrop.  Samples  of  this,  taken  from  several 
places  by  ^Ir.  ^rerrifield.  the  former  superintendent,  gave  from  1^  to 


I 


140  CALIFORNIA    STATE   MINING   BrREAU. 

2^  pounds  (if  mercury  per  ton  in  the  i-etoi-1.     There  would  seem  to  be 
justification  for  more  extensive  wdik  on  this  ])roperty. 

Jiihl.:  Cal.   State  Min.    I'.ik..   Rcjxirt   XV.  p.   712;   Chapter  rep. 
hien.  period,  ]915-191ti.  |>.  118;  Bull.  27,  p.  IB]. 

Mahoney  Mine  (also  called  Gould;  also  Buena  Vista).  Miss  ^Fary 
I.  0 'Toole,  owner,  San  Jose.  It  is  in  Sec.  83,  T.  26  S.,  R.  10  E., 
M.  D.  M.,  14  miles  west  of  Paso  Robles;  elevation  1140'.  It  is  on  the 
extension  of  the  Klau  ore  zone,  to  the  southeast.  There  is  a  tunnel 
said  to  be  in  400',  but  it  was  inaccessible  when  visited  by  the  writer. 
No  work  has  been  done  for  some  years, 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  712 ;  Chapter  rep.  - 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  118;  Bull.  27,  p.  161. 

Marquart  Ranch  Prospect.  John  Marquart,  owner,  Cambria.  There 
are  cinnabar-bearing  croppings  on  the  jMarcjuart  ranch,  2  miles  north- 
east of  the  Oceanic  mine.     Undeveloped. 

North  Star  Mine  (Santa  Maria).  In  San  Carpojaro  district,  in  Sec. 
13,  T.  25  S.,  R.  6  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  southeast  of  the  Polar  Star  mine.  Idle 
for  years. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  712;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  118;  Bull.  27.  p.  162. 

Oceanic  Mine.  Murray  Innes,  owner,  217  Kohl  Building.  San  Fran- 
cisco; Ellard  W.  Carson,  manager,  Cambria.  It  is  5  miles  easterly 
from  Cambria  and  comprises  three  patented  claims  containing  60  acres, 
also  the  mineral  rights  on  400  acres  of  ad.joining  land.  The  property 
is  in  Sees.  15  and  21,  T.  27  S.,  R.  9  E.,  on  Santa  Rosa  Creek.  The 
patent  for  the  three  original  claims  was  granted  in  1865.  being  signed 
by  President  Lincoln.  The  mine  has  had  an  interesting  and  instruc- 
tive history.  In  1875  it  was  taken  hold  of  by  a  corporation  who  began' 
developments  on  a  very  ambitious  scale.  A  large  force  of  men  were 
hired  and  600  acres  of  timber  land  purchased.  Seven  tuiuiels  were 
driven  and  a  body  of  good  ore  opened  u}).  A  Louis  Jaiiiii  furnace  was 
built  in  1875.  The  first  recorded  production  occurred  in  1876.  when 
the  yield  was  2358  flasks.  The  metal  at  that  time  was  worth  about 
$1.50  per  pound  ;iiid  the  cjuicksilver  mining  industry  was  at  the  high- 
est pitch  of  pros|)('city  which  it  has  evei-  (Mijoyed  previous  to  the  present 
war-boonL  During  the  period  of  187()-187!)  inclusive,  the  Oceanic 
produced  7391  flasks.  Sharj)  declines  in  price.  Iiowevei",  brought 
quicksilver  to  less  than  40f''  a  pouiul  in  1882  and  left  only  6  mines  in 
the  state  which  could  produce  without  loss.  The  ()ce;inic  had  prac- 
tically closed  down  three  years  l)efore.  jiiid  riMiiaiued  idle  till  1!)02, 
when  ;i  new  company  assumed  ownei'ship  ;ind  ei'ccfed  a  50-ton  Scott 
furnace. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


141 


^  Production  was  resumed  soon  after,  aiul  was  inaiiitained  more  .stead- 
ily than  at  any  other  property  in  the  county.  In  1906  the  Oceanic  was 
one  of  the  six  chief  producers  in  California  and  in  1908  it  is  also  men- 
tioned as  one  of  the  nine  leaders,  in  spite  of  the  depressed  condition  of 
the  industry. .  In  1909-1910  the  mine  was  operated  by  lessees  and  in 
the  latter  year   was  the   only   producing  quicksilver  property   in   the 


f 


Photo   No.   29.      Open  cuts  at  Oceanic   Mine,  looking  northwest  along  strike 
of  ore  zone.      In  foreground,   top  of  stope   caved   through   to   surface. 

county.  Al)out  this  time  the  coarser  sandstone  ore  gave  out.  The  rock 
on  the  hanging  wall  side  of  the  old  vein  (and  easterly  on  the  strike) 
proved,  on  exploitation,  to  be  a  finer-grained  material,  carrying  cin- 
nabar in  much  smaller  percentage  than  the  old  ore.  It  was  erroneously 
named  a  shale  'mudrock.'  In  1912.  the  present  owner  took  control  of 
the  property,  rebuilt  the  furnace,  and  made  a  small  production  that 
year,    besides    developing    a    vei-y    large    orebody    of    this    low    grade 


142 


CAUFORXIA    STATK    MINING    BfRKAr 


niatt'rinl.  Tii  l!)l»;.  Kdward  A.  Clark.  v\  al..  oT  New  York,  took  a  bond 
on  the  property,  built  a  SOO-ton  coiiccntratino-  niill.^  a  new  aerial  tram- 
\va.\-  ol'  greatci-  capacity  llian  the  old  one.  and  a  second  50-ton  Scott 
furnace.  They  gave  up  Ihcir  boud  cai-ly  in  1!'17.  aud  1hc  property 
with  iniprovcnicut.s  reverted  to  limes.  The  total  recorded  outpnt  of 
the  Oceanic  iidnc  to  llic  end  of  1!)17  lias  l)een  28.251  flasks  of  quick- 
silver. 

Mine. 

The  ore  is  a  dark-gray,  fine-grained  sandstone.  Avhich  contains 
enongh  calcite  to  cause  marked  slaking  on  exposure.  Petroleum  is  also 
associated.     There  is  considerable  pyrite.  and  tlie  cinnabai"  values  are 


Photo  No.  30.  Micro-photograph  of  diorite-gabbro  at  the 
Oceanic  Mine.  ■  60  diam.  magnification.  Photo  by 
S.    A.    Tibbetts. 

SO  finely  disseminated  as  to  be  hirgely  invi.si])le  undergi-ouud.  luit  if 
specimens  are  taken  from  any  part  of  the  ore  bk)ck.  reduced  on  a  buck- 
board  and  panned,  a  surprising  prospect  is  obtfuned.  'I'hei'e  ai'e  also 
occasional  crystalline  accunndations  of  cinnabar  on  fracture  faces. 
This  ore  is  quite  uniform  in  value.  The  ore  strikes  NW-SE,  (see 
Plate  X\'1I),  and  the  dip  is  nearly  vei'tical  tli(MiL;li  in  |)laces  it  reverses 
itself,  being  mainly  KK.  (see  IMioto.  No.  29).  It  is  from  15'  to  00' 
wide,  being  40'  wide  at  the  top  ol'  tlie  hill.  The  hanging-wall  is  ser- 
pentine and  Mie  footwall.  shale.  ()n  the  southwest  side,  and  more  or 
less  parallel  to  the  orebody,  is  a  body  of  igneous  rock  of  the  diorite- 
gabbro  series    (see  Photo  \o.   :{0).      The  sam|)le   from    which   the   thin- 


•See  descriiition.  p  ;!.'iO,  pos^ 


IIVX  HTAjq 


RAISE 


-'■A.w-'.ji'.  I... Ill  I.  nummnHiwjtiwiwiw  II 


I 

I 


I 


M'DTJIMAHi].. 


klAJ' 


3  HI 


3HTfc-' 


.lUAD,Am 
3JAD< 


diei.3M 


\\*i>^ot>  ^  .t)  .  \^ V>^<:\«\\ 


•  r»M   HlTlj.,\j»..»^j»».* 


G-r  n,i| 


PLATE  XVII. 


r^ 


D 


QrirKSITA'ER    RESOURCES. 


143 


set'tion  was  cut  was  obtained  bv  tbe  writer  on  the  250-foot  level  (i.e. 
150'  below  No.  4  tunnel).  There  is  an  expc^nre  of  the  same  or  another 
body  of  similar  rock  on  tlie  road  between  the  mine  and  the  furnaces 
(see  Photo  31).  It  has  not  been  opened  up  sufficiently  underground, 
nor  did  the  writer  have  sufficient  time  for  tield  study  to  ascertain  if 
this  diorite-gabbro  has  had  any  connection  with  tlie  mineralization  of 
the  orebodies. 

The  innnediate  walls  of  the  orebodies  are  composed  of  harder  sand- 
stones than  the  ore  itself:  that  on  the  northerly  side  being  gray,  and 
that  on  the  southerlj^  side  being  darker  and  more  compact  ('barren  mud- 
rock').  The  actual  ore  boundary  is  merely  a  slip,  in  the  sandstone, 
and  very  difficult  to  follow.  In  the  earlier-worked  'sand'  orebody,  the 
north  wall  was  well  defined,  being  an  'alta'  of  black  clav  slate,  but  it 


Photo   No.      31.     Plant    of    Oceanic    Mine,    San    Luis    Obispo    County.     The   light    streak    below 

the  arrow   is   the   line  of  the   open    cuts. 

ran  out  to  a  point  at  the  west  end  as  the  'sand  rock'  ran  out.  The  best 
ore  was  obtained  next  to  this  alta.  At  the  westerly  end  of  the  prop- 
erty, these  formations  can  be  traced  acro.ss  the  cailon  of  Santa  Rosa 
Creek.  l)ut  no  ore  values  have  been  found  there. 

The  methods  of  mining  used  are  a  caving  system  and  that  known  as 
sublevel  slicing.  As  used  at  the  Oceanic,  two  main  or  working  levels 
v\ere  driven  ]50'  vertically  apart  along  the  strike  of  the  orebody  for 
300'.  These  are  well  timbered.  At  vertical  intervals  of  25'  between 
the  two  main  levels,  sublevels  are  driven.  Mining  begins  on  the  far 
end  of  the  block,  where  a  raise  has  been  cut  through.  The  angle  of 
drilling  is  such  that  the  ore  can  fall  freely  to  the  lower  level,  and  at  the 
same  time  permit  easy  handling  of  the  machines.  Holes  are  driven 
above  and  below  on  a  slice  and  the  two  rounds  of  shots  break  through 
it,  and  so  on  through  the  block.     There  are  several  adits,  but  the  prin- 


r 


-^ 


3XI«TC'  3MT  ailOjA  WOlTMd 

3HIM  DIHA300 


OViVM  .1 


>w^^3i  ^i\Aw^tv«?, 


-A 


'< 


V 


QT'TCKSIT-VER    RESOT'RCES. 


143 


section  was  cut  was  obtained  by  tlio  writer  on  the  2r)0-foot  level  (i.e. 
150'  below  No.  4  tunnel).  There  is  an  exposure  of  the  same  or  another 
body  of  similar  rock  on  the  road  between  the  mine  and  the  furnaces 
(see  Photo  -M).  It  has  not  been  opened  up  sufficiently  underground, 
noi-  did  the  writer  have  sufficient  time  for  field  study  to  ascertain  if 
this  diorite-gabbro  has  had  any  connection  with  the  mineralization  of 
the  orebodies. 

The  immediate  walls  of  the  orebodies  are  composed  of  harder  sand- 
stones than  the  ore  itself:  that  on  the  northerly  side  being  gray,  and 
that  on  the  southerly  side  being  darker  and  more  compact  ('barren  mud- 
rock').  The  actual  ore  boundary  is  merely  a  slip,  in  the  sandstone, 
and  Yery  difficult  to  follow.  In  the  earlier-worked  'sand'  orebody,  the 
noi'th  wall  was  well  defined,  being  an  'alta'  of  black  clay  slate,  but  it 


Photo   No.      31.     Plant    of    Oceanic    Mine,    San    Luis    Obispo    County.     The   light    streak    below 

the  arrow  is  the  line  of  the   open   cuts. 


ran  out  to  a  point  at  the  west  end  as  the  'sand  rock'  ran  out.  The  best 
ore  was  obtained  next  to  this  alta.  At  the  westerly  end  of  the  prop- 
erty, these  formations  can  be  traced  across  the  caiion  of  Santa  Rosa 
('reek.  l)ut  no  ore  values  have  been  found  there. 

The  methods  of  mining  used  are  a  caving  sj'stem  and  that  known  as 
sublevel  slicing.  As  used  at  the  Oceanic,  tw^o  main  or  working  levels 
\vere  driven  150'  vertically  apart  along  the  strike  of  the  orebody  for 
300'.  These  are  well  timbered.  At  vertical  intervals  of  25'  between 
the  two  main  levels,  sublevels  are  driven.  ]\rining  begins  on  the  far 
end  of  the  block,  where  a  raise  has  been  cut  through.  The  angle  of 
drilling  is  such  that  the  ore  can  fall  freely  to  the  lower  level,  and  at  the 
same  time  permit  easy  handling  of  the  machines.  Holes  are  driven 
above  and  below  on  a  slice  and  the  two  rounds  of  shots  break  through 
it.  and  so  on  through  the  block.     There  are  several  adits,  but  the  prin- 


144  CAKII'OHNIA    STATK    MINING   BUREAU, 

cij)al  opei-ations  arc  L-arried  on  through  No.  4  tuimol.  A  vc-rtieal  winze 
extends  150'  below  the  level  of  this  adit. 

Durincf  the  Clark  operatioiis  in  1!)1()_1!)17,  the  ground  ])eoan  caving 
on  them  aiid  i^ol  Ix-yond  control,  so  that  it  became  impossil)l('  to  use  the 
Braun  shaft.  'I'hc  "New  Shaft'  (winze)  was  sunk  by  the  present  man- 
ager and  connections  made  on  the  150'  level  with  the  Braun  workings. 
Then  a  new  gangway  was  driven  in  the  north  wall  and  parallel  to  the 
old  150'  drift  which  w^as  in  ore,  and  from  tliis  crosscuts  were  being 
driven  every  20'  to  the  old  level.  Through  these  crosscuts  and  new 
gangway  the  caved  ore  was  being  reclaimed,  when  visited  by  the  writer 
in  September,  1917.  The  material  simply  required  shoveling  into  the 
cars  and  tramming  to  the  shaft,  only  occasionally  having  to  bulldoze 
a  chunk  too  large  for  handling.  This  caved  ore  was  being  delivered 
on  the  150'  level  to  the  hoist  at  a  cost  of  30^  per  ton ;  and  on  the  No. 
4  tunnel  level  it  was  being  delivered  to  the  chute  at  the  same  figure. 
Hoisting  and  tramming  to  the  crusher,  costs  about  15^  per  ton.  The 
hoist  is  on  No.  4  tunnel  level.  The  total  operating  cost  on  this  ore, 
exclusive  of  overhead  charges  and  development,  was  approximately 
$1.50  per  ton.  In  one  portion  of  the  mine,  called  the  'Wright  stope', 
this  caving  of  the  orebody  had  extended  through  to  the  surface 
(see  Plate  XVII,  and  Photo  29).  In  1917,  up  to  September,  approx- 
imately 2400'  of  development  work,  mostly  not  in  ore,  was  done  at  a 
cost  of  $2— $4  per  foot,  to  make  available  this  large  tonnage  of  caved 
ore.  When  visited  by  the  writer,  one  shift  only  (day)  was  required 
in  the  mine  to  keep  the  two  50-ton  furnaces  going.  Square-set  stoping 
costs  $1.50  to  $2.00  per  ton  of  ore  extracted.  The  machine  drills  used 
are  principally  IngersoU-Rand  jack  hammers. 

On  the  No.  4  tunnel  level,  in  the  north-wall  side  about  50'  NE.  from 
the  Braun  shaft,  a  new  cinnabar  occurrence  of  a  ditferent  type  from 
the  main  orebody  was  cut  in  the  course  of  driving  the  new  gangway  to 
get  back  of  the  caved  ground.  The  cinnabar  and  associated  minei-als 
have  crystallized  in  open  fractures  in  a  hard  siliceous  material,  possibly 
chert  or  a  highly  silicified  serpentine.  An  interesting  sequence  of 
deposition  is  shown.  First  pyrite  was  precipitated,  followed  in  orde? 
by  calcite,  coarse  crystals  of  cinnabar,  and  finally  scattered  euhedral 
transparent  crystals  of  calcite.  This  occurrence  will  be  further  pros- 
pected to  determine  its  extent,  and  its  i)ossiblc  i-elation  to  the  main  ore- 
bodies. 

At  the  portal  of  No.  4  tunnel  are  located  the  blacksmith  shop,  com- 
pressor, crushers,  and  tramway  loading  terminal.  The  rock  bi-eakers 
are  set  at  3"  and  2i"  openings.  The  ore  is  transported  to  the  furnace 
bins  one-half  mile  l)y  a  Painter  aerial  tramway,  having  twenty  10-cu. 
ft.  buckets,  and  a  capacity  to  dclivci-  LM)  tons  per  hour.  It  has  a  ehain 
drive,   but    the  dilTercnce   in   elevation   between  terminals  is  such   that 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


145 


occasionally  .some  power  is  developed  and  the  brakes  have  to  be  used. 
The  old  aerial  tram,  a  Hallidie,  having  1|  eu.  ft.  buckets  and  a  capacity 
of  50  tons  per  day,  is  still  retained  in  repair  for  use  in  case  of 
emergency.  The  buckets  on  the  new  tram  are  dumped  by  hand  (see 
Photo  No.  32).  The  ore  bins  at  the  discharge  terminals  of  the  two 
trams  have  a  combined  capacity  of  1500  tons. 

Reduction   equipment. 

There  are  two  '50-ton'  Scott  fine-ore  furnaces,  the  second  one  having 
been  built  in  1916.  It  is  stated  that  the  first  furnace,  which  was  built 
in  1902,  cost  $30,000.  the  brick  having  been  made  at  the  mine.     The 


Photo   No.   32.     Tramway   unloading  terminal   at   Oceanic   Mine. 

second  one  cost  $50,000,  the  brick  being  shipped  from  San  Francisco. 
A  careful  check  recently  made  on  the  tonnage,  with  an  average  mois- 
ture allowance  shows  these  two  furnaces  to  be  handling  an  average 
total  of  90  tons  of  ore  daily.  A  heads  sample  of  the  ore  is  taken  from 
each  bucket  at  the  tramway  loading  terminal,  and  the  tailings  sample 
is  taken  from  the  car  at  the  furnace  discharge.  These  samples  are 
quartered  down  weekly  and  sent  to  an  assayer  in  San  Francisco.  A 
portable  screen  with  2"  sciuare  opening  is  laid  on  top  of  the  furnace- 
charging  ore  car  while  filling  it   at  the  ore-bin   chutes.     The  coarser 

10— 3S540 


14G  CALIFOHMA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

pieces  are  rejected.  The  furnaces  have  a  special  fume  trap,  which  is 
described  in  the  section  of  tliis  report  on  ]\Ietallurgy.^ 

The  first  condensino;  cliamber  on  each  furnace  is  of  brick.  On  the 
older  furnace,  #2,  pi  and  #4  chambers  are  of  wood,  the  following  three 
being  of  brick.  On  the  new  furnace,  the  brick  chamber  is  followed  by 
two  large  wooden  condensers,  each  16'  wide  x  40'  long  x  23'  high. 

These  condensers  are  constructed  of  1"  tongue  and  groove  redwood 
or  pine,  with  a  IV'  floor;  not  painted;  and  held  together  with  wooden 
pins  instead  of  nails.  There  is  an  aii'-inlet  hole  in  #1  condensing  cham- 
ber. The  old  brick  condensers  show  considerable  efiflorescence  of  salts 
on  the  outside.  This  is  said  to  show  a  noticeable  increase  when  wet  ore 
is  being  roasted.  There  is  a  dead-end,  wooden  condensing  chamber 
about  20'x20'xl6',  connected  to  the  series  on  No.  1  furnace,  but  it 
seems  to  collect  very  little  mercury.     It  was  built  as  an  experiment. 

Soot  is  treated  in  'D'  retorts,  being  charged  in  large  sheet-iron  pans 
or  'boats.'  There  are  two  'D'  chambers  set  in  brick  work  with  a  single 
fire-box  under  their  center.  They  obtain  40%  of  the  total  quicksilver 
yield  from  the  soot.  The  retorts  are  operated  3  weeks  of  each  month. 
No  extra  labor  is  required,  as  the  Scott  furnace  shift-men  also  keep 
the  retorts  going.  Repairs  are  slight,  and  10  cord.s  of  wood  per  month 
are  consumed  as  fuel. 

In  1915-1916,  wet  concentration  of  the  Oceanic  low-grade  ores  was 
tried,  but  has  now  been  discontinued.  A  detailed  description  of  those 
operations  is  given  elsewhere  herein,-  as  is  also  a  discussion  of  furnace 
operation  costs. ^ 

Power  for  the  mine  and  crusher  plants  is  furnished  liy  distilhite 
engines,  at  a  cost  of  $25  per  h.  p.-year  in  1915,  but  this  has  doubtless 
increased  somewhat  since.  In  that  year,  labor  underground  and  at  the 
furnace  was  paid  .$2.50  per  day,  and  2  foremen,  $4.50  each.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1917,  muckers  were  being  paid  $2.75  and  miners  $3.25  per 
day.  A  total  of  57  men  was  employed,  including  27  underground.  13 
on  top,  and  17  at  tlie  furnaces. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  I\riN.  Bur..  Reports  IV,  p.  336  (ta])le)  :  YIII, 
p.  531;  X,  p.  580;  XII,  p.  3(iti:  XIII.  p.  600;  XV,  i)p.  712-718; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  pp.  118-124;  Bull.  27.  pp. 
151,  162,  243.  U.  S.  G.  S..  Mon.  XITI.  p.  382.  :\riN.  Res.  W. 
OF  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14;  1876.  p.  20.  A.  I.  :\r.  E..  Bull., 
Fel).,  1915,  pp.  497-504;  also  Trans,  vol.  LI,  i^i).  110-119. 
Eng.  &  MiN.  Jour.,  vol.  102,  p.  512,  Se])t.  16,  1916. 

Pine  Mountain  Group.  Mrs.  Plioebc  A.  Hearst,  owner,  San  Fran- 
cisco.    Tliis  gi-()U|)  (»r  22   tiiininij  claims  and  sevei-al   ti-acts  of  timber 


'See  p.  241.  post. 
"See  p.  338,  post. 
•See  p.  2H.  post. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  147 

land  on  and  around  Pine  ^Mountain,  in  Sees.  3,  10,  and  11,  T.  26  S., 
R.  8  E..  M.  D.  M.,  includes  the  Buckeye,  Little  Almaden,  Pine  Moun- 
tain, and  Ocean  View  prospects,  11  miles  east  of  San  Simeon.  The 
principal  workings  are  on  the  east  side  of  the  body  of  rhyolite  forming 
Pine  Mountain,  which  is  the  most  southerly  of  three  eruptive  cones, 
close  together,  but  not  connected  and  of  slightly  varying  material, 
lying  along  the  backbone  of  the  main  ridge.  The  country  rocks  are  of 
the  Franciscan  series.  There  has  been  no  work  done  on  these  claims 
for  years;  and  the  holdings  are  now  occupied  by  the  cattle  ranges  of 
the  Hearst  estate. 


I 


Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  VIII,  p.  531 ;  X,  pp.  580, 
581:  XV,  p.  718;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  124; 
Bull.  27,  pp.  163-165. 


Polar  Star  Mine  (also  called  Santa  Clara,  or  Black  Hawk).  This 
group  of  two  claims,  relocated  in  1915,  by  A.  L.  Carpenter  of  San  Luis 
Obispo,  is  in  See.  13,  T.  25  S.,  R.  6  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  in  the  caiion  of  San 
Carpojaro  Creek,  3  miles  above  its  mouth  and  15  miles  north  of  San 
Simeon.  It  has  been  worked  sporadically  since  1870  by  various 
owners,  the  earlier  operations  being  confined  to  retorting  float  material. 
Between  1890  and  1900,  E.  S.  Rigdon  and  others,  tried  hydraulicking 
in  an  attempt  to  expose  a  vein.  This  has  not  yet  been  uncovered, 
although  the  surface  dirt  for  several  hundred  feet  up  the  steep  hill- 
side is  said  to  carry  cinnabar  to  the  extent  of  0.1%.  Logan^  states  that 
he 

"found  no  ore  in  place,  but  in  the  creek  bed  in  the  center  of  the  claims  he  found 
a  boulder  of  over  a  ton  m  weight  which  shows  prospects  of  cinnabar,  and  some  pieces 
ot  the  ore  which  were  left  by  the  last  operators  contain  good  amounts  of  the  sulphide 
Ihe  rock  in  which  the  cinnabar  makes  its  appearance  is  extremely  hard,  being 
apparently  a  highly  metamorphosed  and  silicified  sandstone.  The  large  boulder  no 
doubt  came  from  either  hillside  nearby." 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mix.  Bur.,  Reports  X,  p.  581 ;  XII,  p.  366 ;  XV, 
p.  718;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  124;  Bull.  27, 
p.  165. 

Rinconada  Mine  (also  called  San  Jose  Valley  Mine).  Mrs.  Theresa 
L.  Bell,  owner,  San  Jo.se;  C.  B.  Claus,  lessee,  Santa  Margarita.  This 
group  of  4  patented  claims,  named  San  Jose,  Rincon,  Tres  Amigos, 
and  Livermore,  is  in  Sees.  21  and  28.  T.  30  S.,  R.  14  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  11 
miles  southeast  of  Santa  Margarita.  It  is,  as  noted  in  the  introduction 
to  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  quite  apart  from  the  main  quicksilver  dis- 
trict of  this  county  which  is  in  the  northwestern  part. 

The  property  was  located  in  1872  and  in  1876  was  equipped  with  a 
furnace  of  the  old  sheet-iron  type,  with  5  sheet-iron  condensers.  The 
designer  attempted  to  keep  the  mercury  vapor  separated  from  the  fuel 

Logan,   C.    A.,   et   al..   Mines   and  mineral   resources  of  Monterey    et   al.   counties: 
cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  chapters  of  State  Mineralogist's  report,  191.5-1916,  p.  125,  1917. 


148  CALIKOIJMA    STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

smoke,  but  the  only  definite  result  achieved  appears  lo  have  been  the 
salivation  of  the  furnaee  employees.  It  is  said  that  little  if  any  quick- 
silver was  recovered,  and  the  plant  was  abandoned  in  1883.  In  1897, 
two  benches  of  10-pipe  retorts  were  put  up ;  some  rich  ore  treated  and 
a  small  production  made,  but  no  definite  figures  of  which  are  now 
obtainable.  The  upper  tunnel,  said  to  be  75'  long,  is  now  caved  and 
inaccessible.  Two  intermediate  adits  w^ere  driven  40'  and  25'  respec- 
tively, and  there  is  a  lower  adit  400'  long  as  well  as  several  shorter  ones 
and  open  cuts. 

The  country  rock  is  largely  serpentine,  but  some  shale  exposures  are 
found  in  the  bed  of  a  creek  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west  of  the  main 
M'orkings.  The  mine  is  in  a  basin  formed  b}^  a  bend  of  the  mountain 
ridge.  Through  this  basin  runs  a  line  of  outcrops  showing  boldly  in 
places.  The  face  of  the  lowest  adit  is  at  the  contact  of  the  serpentine 
and  sandstone.  The  ore  thus  far  worked  is  stated  to  have  occurred  in 
small  rich  bunches,  at  times  nearly  solid  cinnabar.  Pyrite,  calcite, 
dolomite,  quartz  and  organic  matter  accompany  the  ore.  It  is  to  some 
extent  disseminated,  Init  usually  occupies  cracks  in  the  rocks,  which  it 
often  only  partly  fills.  A  former  employee  at  the  retort  says  that  some 
ore  gave  5  flasks  from  2^  tons  and  in  a  few  cases  as  much  as  65  to  80 
pounds  were  obtained  from  a  single  charge  in  one  pipe.  Some  samples 
which  have  been  assayed  carried  a  little  silver  and  iron  sulphide  with 
$2.60  per  ton  in  gold,  besides  the  quicksilver.  A  little  ore  was  mined 
in  1915  and  hauled  to  the  retort  on  a  sled.  The  capacity  of  the  retorts 
is  3-J-  tons  per  day.  Fuel  is  easily  obtainable  nearby,  but  timbers  for 
mining  are  scarce. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X,  p.  581;  XII,  p.  866; 
XIII,  p  531;  XV,  p.  719;  Chapter  rep.  Men.  period,  1915-1916, 
p.  125;  Bull.  27,  p.  166.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  381. 

Sunset  View  Mine.  In  San  Carpojaro  district,  in  Sees.  13  and  18, 
T.  25  S.,  n.  6  E.,  M.  D.  M,  southeast  of  the  North  Star  mine.  Idle  for 
years. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV.  p.  720;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916.  p.  126;  Bull.  27.  p.  1(57. 

Vulture  Mine.  Mark  Rickles,  owner,  Cam])]-ia.  Tt  is  on  Vulture 
Mountain,  in  Sec.  24,  T.  27  S.,  R.  9  E.,  M.  D.  M..  10  miles  east  of  Cam- 
bi'ia.  The  development  has  been  insufficient  to  uncover  any  ore, 
although  there  are  prospects  of  cinnabar.  Only  a  little  superficial  and 
desultoiy  work  has  been   performed.     Tt   is  located   on   an   outcrop  of 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  149 

black,  flinty,  siliceous  rock,  more  or  less  ehar.ued  witli  cinnabar,  in  a 
belt  of  serpentine. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV.  p.  720;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916.  p.  126;  Bull.  27.  p.  167. 

Warren  Ranch,  adjoining  the  Oceanic  Mine.  AV.  W.  Warren,  owner. 
Float  ore  occurs  over  an  area  ^  mile  wide  down  a  steep  hillside  from 
near  the  summit.  IMurray  Innes,  of  the  Oceanic  Mine,  drove  a  60' 
tunnel  into  the  hill  in  an  effort  to  find  an  orebody  in  place.  Wm. 
Spargo  also  drove  two  tunnels  totaling-  about  200',  but  no  deposit  of 
any  value  was  uncovered  in  either  instance. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  720;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  126. 

William  Tell  Mine  in  Sec.  32,  T.  26  S.,  R.  10  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  west  of 
the  Klau  mine,  shows  no  new  development  in  recent  years. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  ]Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  720;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  126;  Bull.  27,  p.  168. 

Wittenberg  Mine  in  Sec.  8.  T.  27  S.,  R.  9  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  near  the 
Oceanic  mine,  has  been  idle  for  a  number  of  years. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  720;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  126 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  168. 

SAN  MATEO  COUNTY. 

Cinnabar  was  early  noted  on  the  Corte  de  Madera  Rancho  near 
Searsville  in  San  Mateo  County,  west  of  Palo  Alto.  Some  prospect- 
ing was  done  about  1863,  but  nothing  of  commercial  value  was  found. 

About  1910,  minute  yellow  crystals  of  the  mercury  oxychloride, 
eglestonite  (Hg^CLO),  were  identified  by  Rogers,^  about  5  miles 
west  of  Palo  Alto  in  seams  and  cavities  in  a  similar  siliceous  material 
to  that  so  common  in  the  serpentine  of  the  cinnabar  districts.  The 
crystals  showed  on  analysis  88.0%  Hg.  and  7.4%  CI,  and  were  asso- 
ciated with  cinnabar,  mercury,  calomel,  dolomite,  magnesite,  opal  and 
quartz.  This  is  evidently  the  same  locality  as  the  first-mentioned, 
above. 

Bibl.:  C-VL.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  67,  p.  61.     Geol.   Surv.  op 
Cal.  Geol.  vol.  I,  p.  71,  1865.     Amer.  Jour.  Sci.,  vol.  32,  p.  48. 


'Rogers,    A.    F.,    Eglestonite    from    San    Mateo    County;    Amer.    Jour.    Sri.,    vol.    32, 
p.  48.  1911. 


150 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


SANTA  BARBARA  COUNTY. 

Quicksilver  was  discovered  in  Santa  Barbara  County  at  the  Lo.s 
Prietos  mines  in  1860.  Seven  years  later  <?innabar  was  found  in 
Acachuma  Caiion  in  the  San  Rafael  ^Mountains.  At  both  of  these  local- 
ities it  has  been  mined  intermittently  for  many  years ;  but  no  segre- 
g:ated  records  of  the  production  of  Santa  Barbara  County  previous  to 
1893  are  available.  The  recent  increases  in  the  price  of  this  metal  has 
stimulated  interest  in  the  old  mines  and  renewed  activity  in  their  devel- 
opment. 

The  available  published  records  show  tlie  following  quicksilver  yield 
in  this  county: 

Quicksilver   Production   of   Santa    Barbara   County. 


Tear 

Flasks 

Value 

Year 

Flasks 

Value 

1893    

1912        ..            _-     .   _ 

1904    

1913    

in:o    

52 

$2,070 

1914    

1915 

* 
*31 

1906    

* 

1907    

60 

2.289 

1916        _       _ 

* 

19(]8    

if;::9 

1917    

Totals 

*$4.196 

1910  

70 
50 

3.225 
2.301 

263 

$14,081 

1911    .. 

*Combinpd  to  conceal  output.?  of  .sing-le  producers. 


Acachuma  Mine  (probably  same  as  the  Eagle  Mine,  mentioned  in 
some  of  earlier  reports).  In  1915,  C.  Woods  of  Santa  Ynez  was  owner; 
present  address,  not  known  to  the  writer.  It  was  one  time  worked  by 
the  Red  Rock  Quicksilver  Mining-  Company,  and  is  in  Sec.  2,  T.  7  N., 
R.  29'  W.,  S.  B.  M.,  12  miles  east  of  Los  Olivos  at  the  head  of  Acachuma 
Creek.  Development  consists  of  several  tunnels  totaling  2000  ft.  The 
orebod}'  is  mineralized  serpentine  and  shales  striking  N.  40°  W.  and 
dipping  50°  E.  This  is  said  to  average  30  ft.  in  width.  The  ore  was 
treated  in  a  12-pipe  retort,  2  miles  below  the  mine,  on  Acachuma 
Creek.  A  good  wagon  road  runs  from  Los  Olivos  to  th(^  retort.  This 
mine  has  been  worked  mostly  by  tributers.     Idle. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  YIII.  p.  537 ;  XV.  p.  746 ; 
Chapter  rep.  Men.  period.  1915-1916,  p.  153;  Bull.  27,  p.  196; 
Reg.  of  Mines,  Sta.  Barbara  Co.,  1906.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  :\ron.  XIII. 
p.  382. 

Los  Prietos  Mines  (includes  the  Milburn-McAvoy  and  Snow  groups). 
F.  M.  Townsend,  owner,  912  ITiggins  Building,  Los  Angeles.  The  orig- 
inal Los  Prietos  group  apparently  covered  quite  an  extensive  area, 
being  situated  within  the  old  Rancho  Los  Prietos  y  Najalayegua  grant. 
A  few  vears  ago,  after  lengthy  litigation  regarding  titles,  the  Lhiited 


QT'Tf'KSII.VER    RESOURCES.  151 

States  government  purchased  the  grant  and  restored  the  hind  to  the 
public  domain.  FoUowing  this,  several  mineral  locations  were  made 
on  portions  of  the  ground  containing  old  quicksilver  workings.  Among 
these  were  the  claims  of  the  Snow  and  ]\Iilburn-McAvoy  (also  called 
Santa  Ynez  Quicksilver  Company)  groups,  taken  over  by  the  present 
owner  in  1916.  The  property  was  not  visited  by  the  writer,  but  by 
Messrs.  Huguenin  and  Tucker  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau  staff,  and 
from  whose  notes  the  data  herewith  are  compiled. 

These  mines  are  8  miles  in  an  air  line  directly  north  of  Santa  Bar- 
bara, in  that  portion  of  the  Santa  Ynez  ^Mountains  north  of  the  river. 
They  are  in  Sees.  9.  10.  11,  12,  T.  5  N.,  R.  27  W.,  S.  B.  M.  The  group 
is  located  on  a  belt  of  mineralized  serpentine,  that  extends  along  the 
range  for  several  miles.     Strike  N.  50°  W.,  dip  southward.     The  width 


Photo   No.   33.      Open    cut    at    Milburn-McAvoy    (Los    Prietos)    Mine.    Santa    Barbara    County, 
showing    'orebody'    65   feet  wide.     Photo  by   Carl    Milburn. 

of  the  orebody  varies  from  10'  to  200',  being  a  well-defined  ledge.  The 
ore,  cinnabar,  is  disseminated  through  the  ledge  matter,  and  is  in  gen- 
eral low  grade,  said  to  average  about  0.25%  throughout.  Occasionally 
rich  pockets  or  shoots  are  encountered  in  which  the  ore  will  run  up  to 
13%. 

The  footwall  is  serpentine,  and  the  hanging-wall  sandstone.  The 
ledge  can  be  traced  for  3  miles.  Considerable  calcite  is  associated. 
This  deposit  was  discovered  in  1860  by  Jose  ^Moraga,  but  was  not 
worked  to  any  extent  until  1871,  when  the  price  of  quicksilver  rose.  A 
large  furnace  (now  in  ruins)  was  erected  on  the  Santa  Ynez  River 
below  the  mine,  and  over  200  men  were  employed.  Operations  ceased 
in  1876  due  to  a  decline  in  the  price  of  quicksilver  and  prolonged  liti- 
gation over  the  title  to  the  property.  Reopened  in  1877  but  has  not 
since  been  worked  on  a  large  production  basis.  The  property  is  some- 
what inaccessible,  being  reached  by  trail  over  the  Santa  Ynez  Moun- 


]52  CALIFORNIA    STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

raius  13  miles  from  Santa  Barbara,  or  l)y  wapon  road.  40  miles.  Tt 
can  also  l)o  reached  via  the  Santa  P.ai'hara  Watei-  Tuiiiifl.  iK'inu'  two 
miles  east  of  the  north  portal. 

The  old  working's  are  somewhat  e.xlensive.  and  scattered  over  al)out 
'.]  miles  in  length  of  the  ledge.  ^lost  of  them  are  caved,  as  the  gronnd 
is  soft.  By  driving  a  tnnnel  above  high-water  mark  of  the  Santa  Ynez 
River.  600  feet  of  backs  can  be  gained.  Power  can  be  obtained  from 
the  Sonthern  California  Edison  Co.,  by  extending  a  line  from  the  north 
portal  of  the  Water  Tnnnel.  In  1!)17.  development  work  was  confined 
to  drifting  from  an  old  tunnel  on  the  lower,  or  Snow,  mine  at  the  west 
end  of  the  group.  Five  men  were  employed.  A  12-pipe  retort  has 
been  built.  Recent  advises  (March,  1918),  are  to  the  effect  that  owing 
to  heavy  rains  in  February  they  have  been  compelled  to  shut  down 
until  the  water  subsides  sufficiently  in  the  river  to  enable  them  to  get 
supplies  across ;  also  that  some  of  their  workings  have  caved.  It  is 
proposed  to  drive  a  lower  adit,  as  suggested  above. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  YIII,  p.  537:  X.  p.  596; 
XII,  p.  366;  XY,  pp.  746-748;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period.  1915- 
1916,  pp.  152-153;  Bull.  27,  p.  196.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII, 

p.  382. 

Mercur  Claim.  F.  E.  AVillson,  Goodwill  mine,  via  San  Luis  Obispo, 
and  0.  AY.  Boeseke,  Santa  Barbara,  owners.  This  claim  Avas  located 
in  March,  1916,  in  T.  5  N.,  R.  27  W.,  S.  B.  M.,  adjoining  the  Milburn- 
McAvoy  group,  and  therefore,  on  a  portion  of  the  old  Los  Prietos  area. 
It  is  at  the  junction  of  Camuesa  Creek  and  Santa  Ynez  River.  20  miles 
by  road  to  Los  Olivos  and  10  miles  l)y  a  good  trail  to  Alontecito.  The 
vein  is  a  fault  or  contact  breccia  between  sandstone  and  serpentine  and 
carries  cinnabar  in  sandstone  and  shale.  It  is  20'-30'  wide,  with 
strike  N.  80°  W.",  and  dip  60°  N.  A  30'  shaft  has  been  sunk,  from 
which  they  have  drifted  30'.  Equipment  includes  an  11  h.  p.  gasoline 
engine,  Braun  'rapid  grinding  mill,'  jig,  canvas  tables,  and  a  2-pipe 
retort.  Willson  states  that  a  small  concentrating  mill  of  (i  tuns  daily 
capacity  was  built  in  the  summer  of  1916  to  test  the  ore;  but  dwing  to 
the  hardness  of  the  ore  re(iuiring  iinc  grinding  to  release  the  i-innabar, 
extraction  by  concentration  was  found  too  expensive.  A  2-pipe  n^tort 
was  later  installed  for  further  testing  of  the  ore.  A  4-ton  nui  with 
this  furnace  on  ore  from  a  width  of  6  feet  on  the  footwall  side  of  the 
vein  yielded  one  flask  (75  ])()unds)   of  (piicksilver. 

Santa  Rosa  Mine.  T).  U.  Davis  and  Chas.  R.  Clark,  owners,  Los 
Olivos.  Tiii.s  property  is  18  iiiih's  l)y  i-oad  noi-fheast  of  Los  Olivos,  in 
Sec.  3,  T.  7  N.,  R.  29  AV..  S.  li.  .M..  adjoininu'  tin-  .\eaehuma  mine  of 
which  it  is  a  continuation.     Thi'  counlry  i-ocks  are  sei'penline  and  shale.    ' 


1 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  153 

The  vein  is  crosscut  near  the  portal  of  No.  1  tunnel,  where  it  shows 
7'_8'  in  width.  No.  2  tunnel,  25'  lower  than  No.  1  is  in  90'  and  will  be 
driven  another  50'.     There  is  no  reduction  equipment  as  yet. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  748;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  154. 

Steward  Mine  adjoins  the  Acachuma  mine.  Some  development  work 
was  done  here  over  12  years  ago,  but  no  quicksilver  produced.  Aban- 
doned. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XV,  p.  748;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1915-1916,  p.  154;  Reg.  of  Mines,  Santa  Barbara 
Co.,  1906. 


I 


I 


154  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MIXING  BUREAU.  ^ 

SANTA  CLARA  COUNTY. 

The  first  known  occurrence  of  (quicksilver  within  the  area  of  the 
United  States,  was  that  found  at  the  New  Almaden  mine  in  Santa  Clara 
County  in  1824  by  Antonio  Sunol  and  Louis  Chaboya.  Though  some 
occurrences  had  apparently  been  earlier  noted  in  ^Mexico,  the  New 
Almaden  was  the  first  producing  quicksilver  mine  in  North  America. 
Sunol  and  Chaboya  built  a  mill  nearby  and  endeavored  to  extract  sil- 
ver from  the  cinnabar.  Late  in  1845,  the  ore  was  shown  to  Andreas 
Castillero,^  a  Mexican  officer,  who  identified  it  as  cinnabar,  and  under 
whose  direction  development  work  was  immediately  begun.  Gun  bar- 
rels were  utilized  as  their  first  retorts.  The  output  was  small,  how- 
ever, until  after  California  became  part  of  the  United  States,  since 
which  time  more  than  a  million  flasks  have  been  produced  in  this 
county,  as  may  be  noted  from  the  tabulation  herewith,  the  greater  por- 
tion of  which  came  from  the  New  Almaden  mine.- 

The  quicksilver  deposits  of  Santa  Clara  County  are  confined,  with 
one  exception,  to  what  is  known  as  the  New  Almaden  district  (see  Plate 
XVIII).  This  district  lies  east  of  south  from  San  Jose,  extending  from 
the  northeasterly  foothills  of  the  Gabilan  Range  on  the  west  to  the  low 
foothills  that  lie  between  Coyote  and  Dry  Creeks  on  the  east.  It  also 
embraces  the  Santa  Teresa  Hills,  a  low  spur  ridge  which  lies  between 
and  in  general  parallel  to  the  other  two.  The  principal  deposits  are 
8  to  13  miles  from  San  Jose,  on  the  ridge  which  forms  the  southwestern 
boundary  of  the  Santa  Clara  Valley  at  this  place,  having  a  general 
NW-SE  direction,  and  locally  called  the  New  Almaden  Ridge. 

The  geology  of  this  district  and  particularly  of  the  New  Almaden 
ridge  and  its  orebodies  has  been  described  in  considerable  detail  by  var- 
ious writers,  especially  by  Becker''  and  liy  Forstner,*  the  latter  of  whom 
says : 

"TIic  three  ridges  in  wliicli  tlie  deposits  occur  are  to  a  great  extent  formed  by 
serpentine,  especially  the  two  first  named.  The  serpentine  is  associated  witli  metamor- 
phic  sandstone  and  jaspilites.  Large  bodies  of  croppings  can  be  found  in  each  of 
these  ridges,  having  also  a  general  northwestern  trend,  but  not  coinciding  with  the 
backbone  of  the  ridges. 

"In  the  New  Almaden  ridge  the  most  extensive  orebodies  have  been  found  in  and 
close  to  Mine  Hill,  the  highest  peak  of  the  ridge,  lying  in  its  southeastern  part.  From 
this  point  going  northwestward  the  croppings,  while  not  continuous,  can  be  traced 
along  tlie  ridge  into  the  territory  of  the  Guadalupe  mine,  a  distance  of  about  3J  mines. 
At  the  surface  the  serpentine  shows  in  large  detached  bodies  surrounded  by  the 
sandstones  and  shales  of  the  Franciscan  series  and  having  a  general  northwestern  ■ 
trend.  This  general  direction  of  the  serpentine  exposures  is  important  in  connection 
with  its  occurrence  underground,  proven  in  the  New  Almaden  mine.  The  line  of  ore 
croppings  runs  from  Mine  Hill  to  the  American  shaft,  passing  about  600  feet  soutli- 
west  of  the   Randol  shaft.     The  underground  workings  in  this  territory  have  shown 


'Black's  Supreme  Court  Reporter:  The  United  States  vs.  Andreas  Castillero :  vol.  2, 
1862.      Also  U.   S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  pp.   cS-10,  1SS8. 

=A  portion  of  the  data  herewith  relating  to  the  quicksilver  mines  of  this  coimty  is 
taken  from  the  manuscript  of  a  report  on  the  "Mines  and  Mineral  Rcsoiu'ces  of  Santa 
Clara,  et  al.  counties"  i)y  Emile  Huguenin :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  biennial  period. 
1917-1918,  in  preparation.  This  has  been  supplemented  by  later  observations  of  the 
present  author  with  particular  reference  to  plant  equipment. 

''Becker,  G.  F.,  Geology  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  U.  S.  Geol. 
Sui-v.,  Mon.  XIII,  pp.  .-^lO-ISO,  467,  1888. 

M'^orstner,  \Vm.,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California:  Cal.  State  Mln.  Bur.,  Bull.  27, 
pp.  108-171,  1903. 


.IIIVX  iii>i.ji 


MAP 

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MINING  ] 

SANTA  C 

CALIF! 


Accompanying    Stai 
Bulletin 


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SSdIO    p.  154 


PLATE  XVm. 


.School  -i^tl^^^-i^i  •  Vt"    '•         >\\^!5f'T.«.»^«s/  ^ 


-    M.neMill 


3 7';.- 


MAP  OF 

NEW  ALMADEN 

MINING  DISTRICT. 

SANTA  CLARA  CO. 

CALIFORNIA 

—  Scale  — .  „  .  , 

Accompanying    State  Mining  Bureau 
Bulletin  NS    78 

38i*l    p,  154 


Rhyoldc 


Serpentine 


Metamorphic 
Series 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  155 

that  the  fissures  wherein  the  orebodies  have  formed  have  invariably  a  serpentine 
footwall :  hence  the  serpentine  must  be  considered  to  occur  underground  in  a  con- 
tinuous body  tlirough  this  entire  territory  and  to  be  in  places  covered  by  overlying 
sandstones  "and  shales.  Southwest  of  Capitancillos  Creek  lies  another  parallel 
exposure  of  serpentine,  contiguous  to  which  the  outcrops  of  the  Costello  mines 
are  found.  The  Santa  Teresa  and  Bernal  mines  are  located  in  the  serpentine  of  the 
Santa  Teresa  hills,  and  the  North  Almaden  or  Silver  Creek  mine  close  to  those  of  the 
most  northern  ridge.  In  the  latter  a  great  part  of  the  serpentine  is  very  highly 
altered  by  silicificalion,  as  also  the  sandstones,  a  great  portion  of  the  rocks  being 
jaspilites.'  The  western  slope  of  the  adjoining  Mount  Diablo  range  is  nearly  e.xclusively 
formed  of  shales. 

"In  this  district  the  occurrence  of  cinnabar-carrying  orebodies  is  clearly  closely 
allied  to  that  of  serpentine,  and  as  the  New  Almaden  was  the  first  extensively  worked 
quicksilver  mine  in  California,  tliis  association  explains  the  reason  why,  for  a  con- 
siderable lapse  of  time,  cinnabar  ores  were,  in  the  opinion  of  most  quicksilver  miners, 
considered  related  to  this  rock  formation.  The  croppings  consist  of  a  more  or  less 
weathered  material  having  usually  an  ochreous  color  from  the  o.xldation  products  of 
the  iron  sulphides,  and  traversed  by  a  network  of  quartz  seams,  from  a  knife  blade  to 
quarter  of  an  inch  wide.  Overlying  the  ore  bodies  is  almost  invariably  found  a  body 
of  clay,  generally  black,  and  containing  more  or  less  inclusions  of  a  dark-gray  sand- 
stone. As  this  ciay  overlies  the  ore  bodies  it  has  received  the  name  of  'alta'  (Spanish 
for  'high'  or  'upper').  At  the  surface  this  'alta'  crops  as  a  light-gray  material, 
resembling  disintegrated  sandstone,  traversed  by  a  network  of  very  thin,  yellowish- 
brown  seams,  often  very  much  like  a  bunch  of  very  fine  roots.  In  places  the  same 
material  can  be  found  in  the  New  Almaden  mine  several  hundred  feet  below  the 
surface,  forming  part  of  the  'alta.'  *  *  *  -phe  rocks  of  the  Franciscan  series  in 
tills  region  show  a  great  amount  of  silicification.  The  chert  beds  are,  however,  almost 
entirely  unrepresented. 

"To  the  west  of  the  New  Almaden  ridge  a  belt  of  bedded  sandstone  is  exposed. 
The   beds   are   from    3    to    5    feet   thick   and    interbedded   with    thinner   beds    of   shale. 

*  *  *  The  country  west  of  the  New  Almaden  ridge  and  south  of  Capitancillos 
Creek,  belonging  to  the  Gabilan  mountain  system,  consists  almost  exclusively  of  the 
sandstones    and    shales    of    the    Franciscan    series    with    occasionally    some    jaspilites. 

*  *  *  TVest  of  the  serpentine  belt  which  lies  west  of  the  New  Almaden  ridge,  south 
of  Costello's  house,  a  small  exposure  of  glaucophane  schist  was  found.  A  body  of 
rhyolite  lies  in  the  northern  part  of  the  New  Almaden  ridge,  having  a  nearly  east  and 
west  strike  and  being  about  two  miles  long." 

The  alta.  or  so-called  clay  referred  to  above,  is  not  a  substance  of 
definite  composition,  though  it  is  usually  a  dark  or  black  mass,  readily 
disting-uishable  even  in  hand  specimens  from  the  country  rock.  It  is 
simply  an  attrition  product  of  the  country  rock  and  varies  in  composi- 
tion with  the  material  from  which  it  has  been  produced.  Its  black 
color  is  in  part  due  to  the  presence  of  manganese. 

With  reference  to  the  age  of  the  formations  in  the  New  Almaden  dis- 
trict, Becker^  summarizes  his  observations  in  the  following : 

"Upon  highly  metamorphosed  rocks  lie  Miocene  sandstones,  ■uiiich  were  sharply 
folded  at  the  Post-Miocene  upheaval.  They  are  not  conformable  with  the  lower  series 
and  contain  pebbles  from  these  older  beds.  In  the  older  rocks  near  New  Almaden 
Mr.  Gabb  found  AuceUa.  proving  the  presence  of  the  Knoxville  series. 

"In  this  district  is  the  only  mass  of  rhyolite  thus  far  found  in  the  Coast  Ranges. 
It  forms  a  dike  nearly  parallel  to  the  line  connecting  the  New  Almaden  and  the 
Guadalupe.  It  is  almost  continuous,  and  I  have  followed  it  for  a  distance  of  several 
miles.     It  is  certainly  Post-Miocene  and  probably  Post-Pliocene. 

"The  New  Almaden  is  a  very  extensive  mine  *  *  *  Tiie  ore  is  cinnabar,  with 
occasional  traces  of  native  quicksilver,  accompanied  by  pyrite  and  marcasite,  with 
rare  crystals  of  chalcopyrite.  The  gangue  is  quartz,  calcite,  dolomite,  and  magnesite. 
Tliese  materials  were  deposited  in  shattered  masses  of  pseudodiabase,  pseudodiorite, 
serpentine,  and  sandstone.      *      *     * 

"The  other  mines  of  the  district  contain  similar  ores  in  similar  rocks.  The  Guada- 
lupe was  the  most  productive.      *      *      * 

"All  the  deposits  of  the  district  appear  to  occur  along  a  rather  simple  fissure  system. 
The  main  fissure  is  nearly  parallel  to  the  rhyolite  dike  at  the  Guadalupe.  It  follows 
the  direction  of  the  hills,  the  axis  of  which  curves  gradually  away  from  the  dike  for  a 
certain  distance.  Passing  through  or  near  the  San  Antonio  and  Enriquita.  it  seems 
to  break  across  the  ridge  at  the  America  and  enters  the  Almaden  on  the  strike  of  its 
two  great  fissures.  It  is  near  this  fis.sure  that  new  orebodies  are  most  likely  to  be 
found.      The  Washington  seems  to  be  on  a  branch  of  the  main  fissure. 

"This  was  probably  formed  at  the  time  of  the  rhyolite  eruption,  to  which  also  I 
ascribe  the  genesis  of  the  ore." 


^Op.  cit.,  p.  467. 


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QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  155 

that  the  fissures  wherein  the  orebodies  have  formed  have  invariably  a  serpentine 
footwall ;  hence  the  serpentine  must  be  considered  to  occur  underground  in  a  con- 
tinuous bodv  through  this  entire  territory  and  to  be  in  places  covered  by  overlying 
sandstones  and  shales.  Southwest  of  Capitancillos  Creek  lies  another  parallel 
exposure  of  serpentine,  contiguous  to  whicli  the  outcrops  of  the  Costello  mines 
are  found.  The  Santa  Teresa  and  Bernal  mines  are  located  in  the  serpentine  of  the 
Santa  Teresa  hills,  and  the  North  Almaden  or  Silver  Creek  mine  close  to  those  of  the 
most  northern  ridge.  In  the  latter  a  great  part  of  the  serpentine  is  very  highly 
altered  by  siliciflcation,  as  also  the  sandstones,  a  great  portion  of  the  rocks  being 
.iaspilites.  The  western  slope  of  the  adjoining  Mount  Diablo  range  is  nearly  e.KClusively 
formed  of  shales. 

"In  this  district  the  occurrence  of  cinnabar-carrying  orebodies  is  clearly  closely 
allied  to  that  of  serpentine,  and  as  the  New  Almaden  was  the  first  extensively  worked 
quicksilver  mine  in  California,  this  association  explains  the  reason  why,  for  a  con- 
siderable lapse  of  time,  cinnabar  ores  were,  in  the  opinion  of  most  quicksilver  miners, 
considered  related  to  this  rock  formation.  The  croppings  consist  of  a  more  or  less 
weathered  material  having  usually  an  ochreous  color  from  the  oxidation  products  of 
the  iron  sulphides,  and  traversed  by  a  network  of  quartz  seams,  from  a  knife  blade  to 
quarter  of  an  inch  wide.  Overlying  the  ore  bodies  is  almost  invariably  found  a  body 
of  clay,  generally  black,  and  containing  more  or  less  inclusions  of  a  dark-gray  sand- 
stone. As  this  ciay  overlies  the  ore  bodies  it  has  received  the  name  of  'alta'  (Spanish 
for  'high'  or  'upper').  At  the  surface  this  'alta'  crops  as  a  light-gray  material, 
resembling  disintegrated  sandstone,  traversed  by  a  network  of  very  thin,  yellowish- 
iM-own  seams,  often  very  much  like  a  bunch  of  very  fine  roots.  In  places  the  same 
material  can  be  found  in  the  New  Almaden  mine  several  hundred  feet  below  the 
surface,  forming  part  of  the  'alta.'  *  *  *  The  rocks  of  the  Franciscan  series  in 
this  region  show  a  great  amount  of  siliciflcation.  The  chert  beds  are,  however,  almost 
entirelv  unrepresented. 

"To"  the  west  of  the  New  Almaden  ridge  a  belt  of  bedded  sandstone  is  exposed. 
The    beds   are    from    3    to    5    feet    thick    and    interbedded    with    thinner   beds    of   shale. 

*  *  *  The  country  west  of  the  New  Almaden  ridge  and  south  of  Capitancillos 
Creek,  belonging  to  the  Gabilan  mountain  system,  consists  almost  exclusively  of  the 
sandstones    and    shales    of    the    Franciscan    series    with    occasionally    some    .Iaspilites. 

*  *  *  "West  of  the  serpentine  belt  which  lies  west  of  the  New  Almaden  ridge,  south 
of  Costello's  house,  a  small  exposure  of  glaucophane  schist  was  found.  A  body  of 
rhyolite  lies  in  the  northern  part  of  the  New  Almaden  ridge,  having  a  nearly  east  and 
west  strike  and  being  about  two  miles  long." 

The  alta.  or  so-called  clay  referred  to  above,  is  not  a  substance  of 
delinite  composition,  though  it  is  u.sually  a  dark  or  black  mass,  readily 
dLsting'uishable  even  in  hand  specimens  from  the  country  rock.  It  is 
simply  an  attrition  product  of  the  country  rock  and  varies  in  composi- 
tion with  the  material  from  which  it  has  been  produced.  Its  black 
color  is  in  part  due  to  the  presence  of  manganese. 

With  reference  to  the  age  of  the  formations  in  the  New  Almaden  dis- 
trict, Becker^  summarizes  his  observations  in  the  following : 

"Upon  highly  metamorphosed  rocks  lie  Miocene  sandstones,  which  were  sharply 
folded  at  the  Post-Miocene  upheaval.  They  are  not  conformable  with  the  lower  series 
and  contain  pebbles  from  these  older  beds.  In  the  older  rocks  near  New  Almaden 
Mr.  Gabb  found  Aucella.  proving  the  presence  of  the  Knoxville  series. 

"In  this  district  is  the  only  mass  of  rhyolite  thus  far  found  in  the  Coast  Ranges. 
It  forms  a  dike  nearly  parallel  to  the  line  connecting  the  New  Almaden  and  the 
Guadalupe.  It  is  almost  continuous,  and  I  have  followed  it  for  a  distance  of  several 
miles.      It  is  certainly  Post-Miocene  and  probably  Post-Pliocene. 

"The  New  Almaden  is  a  very  extensive  mine  *  *  *_  xhe  ore  is  cinnabar,  with 
occasional  traces  of  native  quicksilver,  accompanied  by  pyrite  and  marcasite,  with 
rare  crystals  of  chalcopyrite.  The  gangue  is  quartz,  calcite,  dolomite,  and  magnesite. 
These  materials  were  deposited  in  shattered  masses  of  pseudodiabase,  pseudodiorite, 
serpentine,  and  sandstone.      *      *      * 

"The  other  mines  of  the  district  contain  similar  ores  in  similar  rocks.  The  Guada- 
lupe was  the  most  productive.      *      *      * 

"All  the  deposits  of  the  district  appear  to  occur  along  a  rather  simple  fissure  system. 
The  main  fissure  is  nearly  parallel  to  the  rhyolite  dike  at  the  Guadalupe.  It  follows 
the  direction  of  the  hills,  the  axis  of  which  curves  gradually  away  from  the  dike  for  a 
certain  distance.  Passing  through  or  near  the  San  Antonio  and  Enriquita,  it  seems 
to  break  across  the  ridge  at  the  America  and  enters  the  Almaden  on  the  strike  of  its 
two  great  fissures.  It  is  near  this  fissure  that  new  orebodies  are  most  likely  to  be 
found.      The  Washington  seems  to  be  on  a  branch   of  the  main  fissure. 

"Tills  was  probably  formed  at  the  time  of  the  rhyolite  eruption,  to  which  also  I 
ascribe  the  genesis  of  the  ore." 


^Op.  cit.,  p.  4  61 


156 


CALlFdHMA    STATK    .MIMXG  BUREAU. 


Also 


.0 


"This  dike  not  only  proves  the  former  existence  of  volcanic  activity  in  this  district, 
but  emphasizes  a  fundamental  structural  axis.  The  character  of  the  metamorphic 
rocks  .shows  that  the  line  alons  which  compression  and  upheaval  took  place  in  the 
early  Cretaceous  was  about  west  by  north,  east  by  south.  The  folding-  of  the  Tertiary 
rocks  shows  that  compression  was  repeated  in  the  same  direction  at  the  close  of  the 
Miocene.  The  position  of  the  rhyolite  dike  proves  that  the  dislocation  which  opened 
a  passage  for  this  lava  again  followed  a  similar  course." 

Also  :' 

"Ore  deposition  followed  the  eruption  of  lava.  The  minerals  deposited  and  the 
manner  of  their  deposition  are  such  as  in  the  more  northerly  quicksilver  districts 
were  induced  by  volcanic  springs.  Though  there  are  now  no  indubitable  remnants  of 
the  volcanic  activity  which  certainly  prevailed  here  since  the  beginning  of  the  Pliocene, 
the  analogies  of  the  deposit,  togethei-  with  the  presence  of  lava  of  approximately  the 
same  age  as  the  ore,  make  any  theory  of  deposition  excepting  from  hot  sulphur 
springs  improbable." 

There  have  been  but  two  mines  of  con.seqnence  developed  in  this  dis- 
trict, the  New  Almaden  and  Gnadahipe,  though  there  are  a  number  of 
small  properties  which  havt^  at  times  produced  a  few  flasks  of  quick- 
silver. The  total  recorded  output  of  quicksilver  from  this  county  is 
given  in  the  following  tabulation : 


Qi 

.jjcksilver 

Production 

of  Santa  Clara   County. 

Year 

Flasks 

Value 

Year 

Flasks 

Value 

1850   

7,723 
27,779 
15,901 
22,284 
30,004 
29,142 
27,138 
28,204 
25,761 

1,294 

7,061 
34,429 
39,671 
32,803 
42,489 
47,194 
35,150 
24,461 
25,628 
16,898 
14,423 
18,568 
18,574 
11,042 

9,084 
*20,000 
16,980 
27,930 
30,237 
24,924 
36,054 
.30,135 
31,288 
29,208 
29.084 
20,000 

.$768,052 

1,8.59,248 

927.505 

1,235,648 

1,663,722 

1,560,5.54 

1,401,678 

1.374,381 

1,2.32,149 

81,690 

.378,117 

1,447,7.39 

1,442.041 

1,380.,3.50 

1,9.50,245 

2.166,205 

1.867.519 

1.122,760 

1,176,.325 

775,618 

827,592 

1.171,641 

1,224..584 

887,004 

995.4.55 

*1, 098,000 

1,428,867 

1.228  920 

1.127;S40 

820,000 

1,076,212 

934,185 

933.321 

824,. 54  2 

8.36,165 

610,000 

1885 

21,400 
18.000 
20.000 
18.000 
13,100 
12.000 
8,200 
5,563 
6,614 
7.235 
7.050 
6,222 
4,700 
5,875 
4,435 
5,145 
5.220 
5.869 
5,603 
t3.889 
2.693 
2,592 
2,518 
2.460 
3,747 
4,038 
7,533 
8,695 
3,709 
2.407 
4.386 
4.016 
5.921 

$658,050 
639  000 

1851    

1886 

1852    

1887 

847  600 

1853   

1888 

765  0(10 

1854    

1889       

.589  500 

1855    ... 

1890 

630  (¥10 

1856    

1891 

371  105 

1857       ..      _ 

1892    

1893 

226  470 

18.58   

243  064 

1859    

1894       

222.169 

1860    

1895       ... 

253.8(10 

1861    

1896 

•'11  570 

1862    

1897 

169.200 

1863    

1898 

2.35.000 

1864    

1899       •.     _ 

186.270 

1865    

190(1 

241  073 

1866    

1901 

•"'36  608 

1867    

1902 

■254.260 

1868   

1903       . 

233.130 

00 

19114      

148,1(13 

1870   

1905 

95.968 

1871    

1906 

94.608 

1872    

1907 

96,086 

1873    

1908          .            

103.984 

187-1    

19(19    

191(1 

1.58  490 

182.719 

187.-    

1911 

346..593 

1876      ..... 

1912    

1913    

1914 

365  538 

1877    ... 

149.213 

1878   

118.063 

1879   

1915 

376.319 

188(1    

1916 

375.496 

1881    ..    ... 

1917 

639.-594 

1882 

'rotalfs 

1883    

1,127,380 

$.52,299,517 

1884    

♦Estimated   production   of  Guadalupe   Mine  previous  to   1875. 
+  Flasks  of  7.-)  pounds  since  June,  1904:  of  7G>.  pounds  previously. 
'■Idem,  p.  .314. 
'Idem,  p.  328. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  157 

Bernal  Mine.  Mrs.  Yynacio  Beiiial,  owner,  Edenvale.  It  is  10 
niile.s  southeast  of  San  Jose,  on  the  east  slope  of  the  Santa  Teresa  hills, 
at  an  elevation  of  about  450  feet.  A  tunnel,  over  200'  long,  was  driven 
along  a  ehiy  gonge  and  serpentine  contact,  many  years  ago ;  but  failed 
to  encounter  any  important  orebody,  so  it  was  abandoned.  No  work 
has  been  done  in  recent  years. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ^Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  27,  p.  171 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien. 
period,  1917-1918,  in  prep. 

Bowie  Prospect,  New  Almaden  district.  Circle  B.  Mining  Company, 
owner.     Prospect  only.     Idle. 

Brainard  Prospect.  This  is  on  patented  property  owned  by  Mrs. 
M.  D.  Brainard  et  al.  of  San  Jose,  situated  south  of  the  Guadalupe  mine, 
and  west  of  the  northern  end  of  the  New  Almaden  lands.  There  is  an 
old  adit  in  Avhich  it  is  stated  some  cinnabar-bearing  material  was  cut, 
Init  therr  has  been  no  work  done  in  recent  years. 

Comstock  Mine.  T.  H.  French,  OAvner,  Lone  Tree  via  Hollister.  It 
is  in  the  extreme  southeastern  corner  of  Santa  Clara  County,  in  Sec. 
19,  T.  11  S.,  R.  7  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  and  in  the  Stayton  district  most  of 
which  lies  in  San  Benito  and  is  described  herein  under  that  county. 
The  Comstock  mine  is  located  on  the  only  surface  exposure  of  serpen- 
tine found  in  the  Stayton  district.     Abandolied  some  years  ago. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XII,  p.  367 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  172 ; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1917—1918,  in  prep.  Min.  Res.  W.  of 
Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14. 

Costello  Mine.  M.  Costello,  owner.  New  Almaden.  It  is  about  1^ 
miles  by  road  southeast  of  the  Guadalupe  mine,  on  the  hillside  above 
Los  Capitancillos  Creek  at  an  elevation  of  about  1000'.  It  is  a  pros- 
pect only  and  no  ore  was  found  in  place.  It  has  been  idle  for  a  number 
of  years. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Mix.  Bur.,  Bull.  27,  p.  172;  Chapter  rep.  bien. 
period,  1917-1918. 

Guadalupe  Mine.  New  Guadalupe  Mining  Co.,  owner;  Hugh  C. 
Davey,  president ;  John  L.  Stubbs,  vice-president ;  Chas.  W.  Aby,  treas- 
urer ;  Route  A,  Los  Gatos.  This  property,  covering  a  territory  of  2500 
acres,  is  situated  10  miles  south  of  San  Jose  on  the  west  slope  of  New 
Almaden  Ridge,  and  adjoins  the  land  of  the  New  Almaden  company  on 
the  northwest.  The  mine  was  discovered  in  the  early  50 's  and  is  said 
to  have  produced  20,000  flasks  of  quicksilver  up  to  1875,  when  it 
became  the  property  of  the  Guadalupe  ^Mining  Company.  This  com- 
pany erected  furnaces  and  made  many  surface  improvements.  In  1886 
the  mine  was  shut  down  due  to  litigation,  remaining  idle  until  1900 


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QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  159 

when  H.  C.  Davey.  one  of  the  present  owners,  organized  the  Century 
Alining  Company.  The  old  furnaces  were  remodeled,  the  mine 
unwatered,  and  operations  resumed,  since  which  time  it  has  been  an 
important  and  continuous  producer.  The  total  recorded  output  has 
been  105.772  tiasks  to  the  end  of  1917. 

The  mine  was  first  worked  by  a  vertical  shaft,  625'  deep,  sunk  on  the 
south  side  of.  and  near  the  bottom  of  Capitancillos  or  Guadalupe 
Creek.  It  was  very  difficult  to  keep  the  surface  w^ater  out  of  this  .shaft 
during  the  wet  seasons,  and  it  was  finally  abandoned.  A  700-foot 
incline,  which  is  now  the  main  working'  shaft,  was  then  sunk  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  creek  on  the  dip  of  the  vein  (see  Photo  No.  34).  It 
has  3  compartments  down  to  180'  on  the  incline  (where  it  connects  with 
Xo.  1  Tunnel,  whose  portal  is  just  above  the  creek  bed),  and  2  com- 
partments below  that.  There  are  many  miles  of  underground  work- 
ings in  the  Guadalupe.  Several  shallow  shafts  and  drifts  have  been 
driven  on  different  outcrops  about  the  property,  but  mining  is  now^  eon- 
fined  to  the  main  workings. 

From  the  plan  of  the  old  workings,  it  appears  that  the  orebody 
developed  by  the  vertical  shaft  on  the  south  side  of  the  creek  had  a 
northwest  strike  and  southwest  dip.  The  second  level,  300'  below  the 
collar  of  the  vertical  shaft,  connects  with  the  incline  shaft  on  the  oppo- 
site bank  of  the  creek.  From  the  sixth  level  (625')  of  the  vertical 
shaft  an  incline  winze  was  sunk  from  which  the  seventh,  eighth  and 
ninth  levels  w^re  driven ;  but  ore  Avas  developed  only  on  the  seventh 
.and  eighth  levels.  The  ore  of  the  Guadalupe  mine  is  similar  in  appear- 
ance to  that  of  the  north-end  New  Almaden  ground,  being  in  part  at 
least  a  silicified  serpentine  with  cinnabar.  There  is  some  associated 
pyrite.  "When  visited  by  the  writer  in  September.  1917,  the  bed  of  the 
creek  was  being  replaced  by  a  concrete  flume,  740'  long  and  55'  wide, 
with  side  walls  9'  high,  to  carry  the  stream  over  the  portions  of  the  old 
mine  beneath.  There  is  a  1'  high  cross-wall  CA^ery  100'  to  hold  the 
gravel  and  protect  the  flume  floor  from  excessive  wear.  With  this 
improvement  in  service,  it  is  intended  to  un-water  and  again  open  up 
the  old  workings.     Electric  power  will  be  used. 

Equipment  includes  electric  hoi.sts.  air  compressors  and  machine 
drills.  The  reduction  plant  consists  of  2  coarse-ore  furnaces  of  18  tons 
capacity  each,  and  2  fine-ore  furnaces  of  30  tons  capacity  each, 
all  oil-burning,  and  modeled  after  the  Davey  patents.  The  ore 
is  broken  to  cobble  size  and  sorted  by  hand  in  the  mine,  the 
waste  being  partly  used  to  fill  old  stopes.  At  the  surface,  the  ore  is 
screened,  and  then  trammed  by  mule-drawn  trains  to  the  fine  and 
coarse-ore  furnaces  respectively.  The  fine  ore  is  passed  through  a 
rotary  drier,  29'  long  x  28"  diam..  lined  Avith  one  row  of  fire-brick,  and 
driven  by  a  3  h.  p.   electric  motor  at  2  r.  p.  m.     The  discharge  is 


]60  CALIFORNIA   :>TATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

directly  into  the  feed  end  of  the  fine-ore  furuaee,  in  a  sealed  compart- 
ment to  prevent  escape  of  any  mercury  vapors  that  might  be  present. 
A  concentrating  plant  of  50  tons  daily  capacity  was  built,  and 
started  operating  in  February,  1917,  handling  material  from  the  old 
mine  dumps.  Crushing  is  done  in  a  ball  mill  with  20-m&sh  screen. 
After  classification,  the  fine  pulp  goes  to  a  Deister  table,  and  the  sand 
to  two  WiWeys.  The  plant  is  driven  by  a  25  h.  p.  semi-Diesel  oil 
engine.  The  concentrates  are  said  to  assay  8%— 10%  mercury,  and 
are  reduced  in  the  fine-ore  furnaces.  In  September,  1917,  there  were 
75  men  employed,  25  of  whom  were  underground. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Keports,  VIII,  p.  542 ;  XIII,  p.  600 ; 
Bull.  27,  p.  173;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1917-1918  in  prep. 
MiN.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  ^Its.,  1875,  p.  13 ;  1876 ;  p.  20.  U.  S. 
G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  326. 

Hillsdale  m-  San  Juan  BaUtista  Mine  (one  time  called  Chapman; 
also  Chaboyaj.  Elizabeth  Kohrs,  owner,  Hillsdale  via  San  Jose,  R.  F. 
D.  It  is  about  2  miles  southeast  of  San  Jose  on  the  east  slope  of  the 
San  Juan  Bautista  Hills,  and  within  one-half  mile  of  a  street-car  line. 
These  hills,  an  isolated  group,  composed  of  metamorphic  rocks,  largely 
serpentine,  rise  to  a  height  of  only  a  few  hundred  feet  above  the  valley, 
and  are  a  northward  continuation  of  the  Santa  Teresa  Range. 

The  mine  is  said  to  have  been  discovered  in  1847  and  worked  to  1861 
by  ^Mexicans,  subsequently  becoming  the  property  of  a  Mr.  Chapman 
who  worked  it  up  to  1874.  In  the  spring  of  1871,  production  was  at 
the  rate  of  30-40  flasks  of  quicksilver  per  month. ^  It  lay  idle  from 
1874  until  1892,  when  it  was  reopened  by  R.  H.  Harper  of  San  Jose, 
and  worked  spasmodically  in  a  small  way  up  to  1907.  In  1915,  under 
the  name  of  New  Discovery  Quicksilver  Company,  a  lease  and  bond  was 
taken  and  a  few  flasks  of  quicksilver  produced ;  but  little  work  was 
done  underground,  and  the  lease  forfeited.  R.  H.  Harper  was 
recently  reported  to  be  negotiating  for  the  purchase  of  the  property. 
There  are  said  to  be  over  4,000  feet  of  underground  workings,  but  most 
of  the  tunnels  are  now  inaccessible,  being  caved.  The  reduction  phint 
consists  of  two  12-pipe  retorts,  evidently  built  in  later  years,  as  they 
are  in  good  condition. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  IMin.  Bur.,  Report  XIII,  p.  600;  Bull.  27.  p. 
174;  Rep.  bien.  period,  ]917_191S.  in  prep.  (Jeol.  Surv.  oi 
Cal.,  Geol.  vol.  2,  pp.  112-113. 

New  Almaden  Mine  (originally  Chaboya;  tlien  Santa  Clara).  The 
Quicksilver  Alining  Company,   owner;  New   Almaden   Company.   Inc.. 


'Ooodvp.nr.  AV.   A.,  Report  on  examination  of  quick.silvor  mines  in  California:  Gcol. 
Siirv.  of  Cal..  Cit-ol.  vol.  2,  pp.   112-113.  1882. 


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'•FBi-sfnpr.  Wm..  Quicksilver  resources  of  Calil'ornia  :  Cal.   State  Min    Bur 
p.   lio.   1003. 
11— 3S,>tO 


161 

has.  A. 
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Bull.   27, 


PLATE  XIX. 


NEW    ALMADEN    MINE 

SANTA   CLARA  CO..  CAL. 

SHOWING    PRINCIPAL    STORES.  LEVELS   AND  DUMPS 

1917 

l;.-A:j^'*i  COMPILED    FROM  t  I 

sroPES  COMPANY  necoRos  OUMPS 


NOTE     Elevations  are  rrfinus  (-)  and  refer  to  outcrop  at  summit 
of  Mine  Hill  as  datum. 


Aetompof„jinff  atjlMt,n  Nt>  7S.   Ca'iforr..o  State  M.^:x^  Buree 

88040    p.  im 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  161 

Icssei';  Geo.  II.  Srxtoii,  pivsideiit,  45  Broadway,  New  York;  Chas.  A. 
Frank,  secretary  and  treasurer;  Edmund  Juessen,  general  manager,  57 
Post  Street,  San  Francisco.  This  property,  covering  over  8000  acres, 
lies  from  8  to  13  miles  east  of  south  from  San  Jose'  along  the  New 
Alniaden  Ridge,  and  was  at  one  time  second  only  in  production  to  the 
famou.s  Almadeu  mine  in  Spain,  after  which  it  was  named.  This  prop- 
erty is  the  oldest  known  quicksilver  mine  in  the  United  States,  being 
first  worked  in  T824  by  Antonio  Suiiol  and  Luis  Chaboya.  In  1845, 
Andreas  Castillero,  a  Mexican  army  officer,  'denounced'  (located)  it 
under  the  name  of  Santa  Clara.  After  the  admission  of  California  into 
the  Union,  Castillero  and  associates  leased  the  mine  to  Barron  Forbes 
&  Co..  who  changed  the  name  to  New  Almaden.  It  has  been  worked 
continuously  since  1845,  but  the  greatest  surface  improvements  were 
made  after  it  became  the  property  of  The  Quicksilver  Mining  Company 
in  1864. 

]\Iauy  important  practices  and  appliances  in  the  metallurgy  of  quick- 
silver had  their  beginning  here,  including  the  development  of  the  Hiitt- 
ner-Seott  tine-ore  furnace  in  1875-1876.  The  present  operating  com- 
pany look  over  the  property  under  a  lease  and  bond  in  1915.  The  total 
production  has  been  1,021,183  flasks  of  quicksilver,  to  the  end  of  1917, 
surpassed  by  only  one  mine  in  the  world  (Almaden  Mine,  Spain)  dur- 
ing the  period  in  which  New  Almaden  has  been  operating.  Published 
records  show  that  this  total,  however,  has  been  exceeded  by  the  Idria 
mine.  Austria,  and  the  Santa  Barbara  mine,  Huancavelica,  Peru,  the 
bulk  of  whose  production  was  made  prior  to  1850;  in  fact,  Huancave- 
lica has  yielded  but  little  quicksilver  since  1800. 

GEOLOGY   AND   MINE  V^^ORKINGS. 

The  New  Almaden  property  really  contains  three  mines,  all  of  which 
are  located  on  the  same  mineral  belt:  the  great  New  Almaden  mine 
proper,  the  Enriquita,  and  the  Senator  or  El  Senador  as  the  Mexicans 
named  it  (also  referred  to  as  the  North  Line  Mine).  A  distance  of 
nearly  4  miles  separates  the  first  and  the  last-named.  The  workings  of 
the  main  New  Almaden  mine,  cover  a  territory  of  about  2^  square  miles, 
wliich  i.s  exclusive  of  the  Enriquita  and  Senator;  and  their  greatest 
depth  is  2450  feet  below  the  top  of  ^line  Hill,  which  is  the  datum  point 
for  all  underground  workings.  The  elevation  of  Mine  Hill  is  1600' 
above  sea-level.  In  this  territory  18  shafts  have  been  sunk,  and  there 
are  nearly  100  miles  of  underground  excavations,  much  of  which  is  at 
present  inaccessible.  Forstner  states^  that  in  1903,  the  Victoria  shaft, 
a  short  distance  to  the  southwest  of  the  Randol  shaft,  and  the  Harry 
shaft,  on  the  southeast  slope  of  ]Mine  Hill   (see  Plate  XIX)   were  the 


'Forstner.  Wm.,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California:  Gal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  27, 
p.  17.5.  1903. 
11-3S.>40 


160 


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"Od.Hiv.   11     \V     \.,  Report  on  examination  or  quicKMiM'. 
Surv.  of  Cal.;  ( i.-ol.  vol.  2.  pr.  112-113.  1882. 


ill.v'iiii(t.    .      \_J«-.«>1. 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  161 

Icssrc ;  (u'O.  11.  Sexton,  president,  45  Broadway,  New  York;  Cha.s.  A. 
Frank,  secretary  and  treasurer ;  Edmund  Juessen,  general  manager,  57 
Post  Street,  San  Francisco.     This  property',  covering  over  8000  acres, 
lies  from  8  to  13  miles  east  of  south  from  San  Jose'  along  the  New 
Almaden  Ridge,  and  was  at  one  time  second  only  in  production  to  the 
famous  Almaden  mine  in  Spain,  after  which  it  was  named.     This  prop- 
erty is  the  oldest  known  quicksilver  mine  in  the  United  States,  being 
first  worked  in  1824  by  Antonio  Suiiol  and  Luis  Chaboya.     In  1845, 
Andreas  Castillero,  a  Mexican  army  officer,  'denounced'    (located)    it 
under  the  name  of  Santa  Clara.     After  the  admission  of  California  into 
the  Union,  Castillero  and  associates  leased  the  mine  to  Barron  Forbes 
&  Co..  who  changed  the  name  to  New  Almaden.     It  has  been  worked 
continuously  since  1845,  but  the  greatest  surface  improvements  were 
made  after  it  became  the  property  of  The  Quicksilver  Mining  Company 
in  1864. 
k    ]\Iany  important  practices  and  appliances  in  the  metallurgy  of  quick- 
silver had  their  beginning  here,  including  the  development  of  the  Hiitt- 
uer-Scott  fine-ore  furnace  in  1875-1876.     The  present  operating  com- 
pany took  over  the  property  under  a  lease  and  bond  in  1915.     The  total 
production  has  been  1,021,183  flasks  of  quicksilver,  to  the  end  of  1917, 
surpassed  by  only  one  mine  in  the  world  (Almaden  Mine,  Spain)  dur- 
ing the  period  in  which  New  Almaden  has  been  operating.     Published 
records  show  that  this  total,  however,  has  been  exceeded  by  the  Idria 
mine,  Austria,  and  the  Santa  Barbara  mine,  Huancavelica,  Peru,  the 
bulk  of  whose  production  was  made  prior  to  1850 ;  in  fact,  Huancave- 
lica has  yielded  but  little  quicksilver  since  1800. 

GEOLOGY   AND   MINE  WORKINGS. 

The  New  Almaden  property  really  contains  three  mines,  all  of  which 
are  located  on  the  same  mineral  belt :  the  great  New  Almaden  mine 
proper,  the  Enriquita,  and  the  Senator  or  El  Senador  as  the  Mexicans 
named  it  (also  referred  to  as  the  North  Line  Mine).  A  di.stance  of 
nearly  4  miles  separates  the  first  and  the  last-named.  The  workings  of 
the  main  New  Almaden  mine,  cover  a  territory  of  about  2^  square  miles, 
which  is  exclusive  of  the  Enriquita  and  Senator;  and  their  gTeatest 
depth  is  2450  feet  below  the  top  of  Mine  Hill,  which  is  the  datum  point 
for  all  underground  workings.  The  elevation  of  Mine  Hill  is  1600' 
above  sea-level.  In  this  territory  18  shafts  have  been  sunk,  and  there 
are  nearly  100  miles  of  underground  excavations,  much  of  which  is  at 
present  inaccessible.  Forstner  states^  that  in  1903,  the  Victoria  shaft, 
a  short  distance  to  the  southwest  of  the  Randol  shaft,  and  the  Harrv 
shaft,  on  the  southeast  slope  of  ]\Iine  Hill  (see  Plate  XIX)  were  the 


'Forstner.  W'm.,  Quicksilver  resources  of  California  :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  27, 
p.  175.  1903. 
11— 3S540 


162  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

only  two  shafts  then  in  operation.  The  deepest  workings  then  being 
followed  were  on  the  1000'  level,  as  below  1300'  the  mine  was  filled  with 
water.  Since  that  time,  most  of  the  work  has  been  done  through  the 
Harry  shaft  and  the  Day  tunnel,  and  more  recenth*  at  the  Senator 
mine. 

Geology. 

The  geology  of  the  New  Almaden  mine  has  been  studied  and 
described  in  considerable  detail  by  a  number  of  authors,  the  most 
important  of  whom  was  Becker.     He  states  r 

"Tlie  ores  *  *  *  are  composed  of  the  usual  association  of  minerals :  cinnabar 
(sometimes  accompanied  by  a  little  native  mercury),  pyrite,  quartz,  calcite,  and  dolo- 
mite, and  more  or  less  closely  associated  masses  of  bituminous  matter.  Accompany- 
ing the  deposits  is  a  small  amount  of  chalcedony  or  opal,  usually  black  in  color,  but 
this  substance  is  much  less  abundant  here  than  in  the  greater  part  of  the  northern 
mines.  Dolomite  is  more  prevalent  as  a  gangue  mineral  here  than  in  most  quicksilver 
districts     *      *     *_ 

"The  rocks  associated  with  cinnabar  in  this  district  include  every  variety  of  the 
metamorphic  series.  Where  the  rock  happens  to  be  a  permeable  sandstone,  impreg- 
nations have  resulted.  Elsewhere  the  ore  seems  to  occur  exclusively  in  crevices  in 
the  rock  *  *  *  j  ^as  unable  to  perceive  any  indication  that  ore  had  been 
deposited  by  substitution  or  that  the  rock  had  influenced  the  deposition  of  ore  by  its 
chemical  properties.  Ore  is  found  Mntli  nearly  equal  frequency  in  contact  with 
various  rocks  and  the  existence  of  fissures  appears  to  have  been  the  necessary  and 
sufficient  condition  for  the  deposition  of  cinnabar  and  gangue  minerals.     *      *     * 

"The  ore  in  the  New  Almaden  mine  seems  never  to  occur  except  close  to  evidences 
of  faulting.  This  evidence  consists  in  the  presence  of  layers  of  attrition  products, 
so-called  clays,  full  of  slickensides  and  of  fragments  of  rocks  more  or  less  rounded 
by  attrition.  These  layers  of  clay  usually  occur  on  the  hanging  side  of  deposits  and 
are  known  to  t!ie  miners  as  altas,  the  Spanisli  term  for  hanging-walls.  The  clays  are 
impermeable  to  solutions  and  the  ore  usually  forms  on  their  lower  side,  as  if  the 
cinnabar  had  ascended  and  been  arrested  by  the  altas.      *     *      * 

"While  the  evidence  of  the  existence  of  a  fissure  system  is.  if  possible,  more 
abundant  in  the  New  Almaden  mine  tlian  in  most  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific 
Slope,  the  deposits  themselves  are  of  various  types.  The  commonest  is  the  reticulated 
mass,  or  stockworks,  consisting  of  irregular  bodies  of  broken  rock  into  which 
solutions  of  cinnabar  and  gangue  minerals  have  filtered,  cementing  the  fragments 
together  with  ore.  Where  the  disturbance  has  been  less  extensive  and  irregular,  clean- 
cut  fissures  may  sometimes  be  seen  filled  with  ore,  and  these  can  only  be  classified  as 
veins,  though  they  are  not  persistent.      *      *      * 

"Certain  features  must  be  common  to  the  ore  bodies  taken  singly  and  to  the  ore- 
bearing  ground  as  a  whole.  It  would  be  impossible  to  suppose  that  each  stockwork 
has  an  independent  fissure  system,  and  a  mere  glance  at  the  mine  map  shows  that  a 
connection  between  them  exists.  It  is  also  a  historical  fact  that  the  thin  seams  of 
ore      *      *      *      ]iave  led  from  one  ore  chamber  to  another.      *      *      * 

"The  distribution  of  serpentine,  the  average  strike  of  the  metamorphic  strata,  the 
compression  of  the  Miocene  beds,  the  position  of  the  rhyolite  dike,  and  the  trend  of 
the  range,  in  short  the  whole  structural  geology  of  the  region  shows  that  the 
fundamental  axis  of  disturbance  must  have  a  direction  which  is  approximately  north- 
west and  southeast." 

Also  :^ 

"Considered  in  detail,  the  ore  bodies  are  stockworks  :  but  they  are  arranged  along 
definite  fissures  and  tlio  deposits  as  a  whole  have  a  vein-like  cliaracter  and  an.swer  to 
the  'cliambered  veins'  defined  in  a  subsequent  paragraph.  The  workings  have 
developed  two  main  fissures.  One  of  these  dips  from  the  smface  at  a  high  angle  and 
in  a  nearly  straiglit  line.  Tlie  other  strikes  in  nearly  the  same  direction  as  tlie  first, 
dips  steeply  from  the  .surface,  then  flattens  and  appi'o.aches  tlie  first  fissure  rapidly, 
again  becomes  very  steep,  and  in  the  lowest  woi-kings  almost  coincides  witli  the  first. 
In  vertical  cross-section  the  two  fissures  form  a  figin-e  i-esembling  a  V.  Tlie  great  ore 
bodies  are  distributed  along  these  two  fissuies.  making  irregiflarly  into  the  walls.  The 
wedge  between  tlie  fissures  also  contains  ore  Vtodies." 

Mine  Hill  Workings. 

The  surface  and  woi-kiugs  of  the  New  Alin;ideii  mine  have  been 
minutely  surveyed  ;ind  tlie  data  carefully  preserved  by  the  officers  of 
the   Quicksilver   Alining   Coiiii);iiiy    in    the   form    of   a    large,    detailed, 


^Becker,   G.    V..    Quicksilver   deposits  i)f   the    Pacific   Slope:   U.   S.   Geol.    Surv.,   Moii. 
XTTI.  pp.   3H  et  seq,  1888. 
"Op.  rit..  p.  467. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  163 

colored  map  which  hangs  in  a  specially-constructed  fireproof  draught- 
ing room,  adjoining  the  office  at  the  Hacienda.  An  excellent  repro- 
duction of  this  map,  up  to  the  date  of  its  publication,  1888,  accom- 
panies Becker's  report.*  The  map  herewith  (Plate  XIX)  was  com- 
piled from  the  company's  records  and  is  reproduced  herewith  by 
courtesy  of  Mr.  Edmund  Juessen,  general  manager.  The  principal 
dumps  are  shown  in  brown  with  the  surface  contour  lines.  The  prin- 
cipal orebodies  extracted  since  Becker's  publication  of  the  map,  are 
indicated  by:  1.  The  N-S  line  of  stopes  to  the  west  of  and  nearest  the 
Harry  shaft.  2.  The  line  of  stopes  lying  approximately  at  right  angles 
across  the  northwestern  end  of  the  older  stopes,  and  extending  south- 
westerly from  the  'mouth  of  Randol  tunnel.'  3.  Portions  of  the 
stopes  south  of  the  Cora  Blanca  shaft. 

The  ore  deposits  are  limited  on  their  hanging-wall  side  by  the  alta, 
which  being  an  impermeable  layer  prevented  the  passage  Of  water  cir- 
culation. According  to  Forstner,^  the  footwall  side  is  persistently  ser- 
pentine, from  which  it  is  concluded  that  the  serpentine,  or  rather  the 
intrusive  peridotite  which  has  altered  to  serpentine,  is  the  cause  of  the 
fracturing  of  the  other  rock  strata. 

"The  fracturing  has  taken  place  on  both  sides  of  tlie  serpentine,  which  apparently 
can  not  be  considered  otherwise  than  as  an  intrusive  body  having  uplifted  the  roclis 
of  tlie  Frixnciscan  series. 

"The  ore  bodies  form  principally  in  tliose  parts  of  the  zones  where  the  dip  of  the 
'alta'  is  very  flat  *  *  *.  The  contact  of  tlie  alta  with  the  underlying  vein  filling, 
and  where  this  is  missing  with  the  serpentine,  is  very  tortuous  in  botli  directions, 
vertically  and  horizontally,  so  that  in  the  gangways,  which  *  *  *  follow  this 
contact,  it  is  an  exception  to  find  a  straiglit  line  of  any  length.  The  stopes  are 
locally  called  'labores.'  The  material  whicli  fills  the  zones  of  fracturing  and  wherein 
in  places  cinnabar  forms,  is  generally  rather  hard  and  siliceous,  traversed  by  a 
,  network  of  seams  of  quartz  and  dolomite,  showing  repeated  fissuring  and  filling  con- 
taining some  inclusions  of  serpentine,  the  cinnabar  forming  principally  in  connection 
with  the  seams.  In  places  the  vein-filling  has  more  of  an  ochreous  character,  the 
matrix  being  more  or  less  leached  out,  leaving  only  the  network  of  seams 
intact.      *      *      * 

"The  general  character  of  the  vein-filling  indicates  that,  as  in  most  of  the  other 
quicksilver  deposits  in  the  State,  tlie  deposition  of  cinnabar  has  been  associated  with 
the  process  of  siliciflcation,  which  characterizes  the  alteration  of  the  rocks  of  the 
Franciscan  series. 

"The  general  direction  of  the  seams  in  the  vein-fllling  is  not  parallel  to  the  line 
of  contact  with  tlie  alta.  *  *  *  jj^  ^l^g  upper  workings  the  part  nearest  to  the 
alta  is  seldom  the  richest,  the  cinnabar  forming  more  plentifully  at  from  5'  to  8'  below 
the  alta,  while  in  the  lower  workings  the  richest  ore  is  invariably  close  to  the  alta. 

"The  contact  between  the  alta  and  the  vein-filling  is  very  sharply  marked,  but 
there  is  a  gradual  change  of  the  above-described  vein-fllling  into  the  material  of  the 
serpentine  foot-wall,  tlie  vein  material  gradually  carrying  more  serpentine,  until  it  has 
entirely  changed  into  the  latter.  Tlie  hanging-wall  is  a  shale,  judging  from  surface 
exposures.     Underground,  no  crosscut  through  tlie  alta  to  the  hanging-wall  was  seen." 

Recent  work. 

When  visited  by  the  writer  in  September,  1917,  some  ore  was  being 
broken  in  stopes  connected  with  the  Day  tunnel,  and  which  it  was 
intended  to  burn  in  the  coarse-ore  furnaces  at  the  Hacienda.  Plans 
were  being  made  to  drive  a  connection  on  the  800'  level,  from  the  Santa 
Rosa  drift  near  the  main  shaft,  to  Deep  Gulch  tunnel.  This  will  per- 
mit of  tramming  around  the  hill  to  the  Hacienda  furnaces,  a  distance 
of  about  ^  mile,  or  about  one-half  that  now  traveled  for  delivery  from 


*0p.  cit..  Atlas  Sheet  IX. 
^Op.  cit.,  p.  178. 


]l>4  CALIFORNIA   STATE    -AIIXIXG    BUREAU. 

the  D;iy  tnnncl.  Eqnij)ni('nt  ;it  the  inoulli  of  the  l)a>"  Tunnel  includes 
an  Inuersoll-Kand  duplex  compressor.  I()"xl4"  and  1<i"\  14".  driven 
by  a  TOO  li.  p.  elcctT-ic  nioloi-. 

Senator  workings. 

The  principal  ore  extraction  of  i-ecent  months  has  been  from  the 
Senator  workino-s,  Avhich  are,  as  already  stated  in  a  preceding  para- 
graph, nearly  4  miles  distant  from  I\Iine  Hill.  This  ground  adjoins 
that  of  the  Guadalnpe  mine,  they  being  on  opposite  sides  of  the  same, 
ridge.  A  new  'shaft'  (winze)  is  being  sunk,  on  a  60^  incline,  starting 
at  1300'  in  from  the  portal  of  the  main  adit.  The  collar  of  the  old 
winze  is  at  1150'  in.  An  electric  hoist  with  75  h.  p.  motor  is  used.. 
The  tunnel  level  is  designated  as  the  260'  level,  and  levels  down  to  #5  ■ 
have  been  established  in  the  winze,  with  sinking  nearing  #6  level.  Only 
a  little  sorting  is  done  in  the  stopes  underground.  The  ore  going  to 
the  furnaces  is  stated  to  vary  from  0.2%  to  1.0%  mercury.  The 
formations  and  orebodies  in  the  Senator  and  Enriquita  mines  are  in 
general  similar  to  those  at  the  southern  end  of  the  New  Almaden  belt, 
but  no  bonanza  shoots  have  been  found  like  the  massive  cinnabar  bod- 
ies worked  in  the  upper  levels  of  ]\Iine  Hill.  The  Enriquita  mine  was 
opened  up  in  1859,  and  up  to  January  1,  1865,  had  yielded  10,571  ' 
flasks  of  quicksilver.     It  has  not  been  worked  in  recent  years. 

REDUCTION  EQUIPMENT. 

A  study  of  the  development  of  practices  and  appliances  in  the 
metallurgy  of  quicksilver  during  the  past  60  years  shows  the  intimate 
relations  of  such  developments  to  the  history  of  operations  at  New 
x\lmadeu.  In  the  earlier  operations,  the  intermittent  form  of  furnace 
was  utilized.  These  furnaces  and  their  modus  operandi  are  described 
in  detail  by  Goodyear"  who  observed  them  working  in  1871  at  New 
Almaden,  Knoxville,  and  New  Idria.  The  most  important  item  for 
which  credit  is  due  to  the  staff  of  the  New  Almaden  mine  was  the  devel- 
opment in  1875-1876.  of  the  Hiittner-Scott  fine-ore  furnace  (now  gen- 
erally referred  to  as  the  Scott),  by  II.  J.  Iliittner,  Robei-t  Scott,  and 
J.  B.  Randol.  This  furnace  is  desci'ibcd  in  detail  clsi-where  herein' 
under  the  section  on  Metallurgy. 

For  some  years,  the  furnace  e(piii)meiit  at  the  Hacienda  (the  name 
given  to  the  conununity  grouped  al)out  Uu'  i-educti-on  plant)  included 
two  Exeli  coarse-oi-e  furnaces  of  12  tons  capacity  each:  two  Scott 
fni-naces  for  'granzita'  (medium  ore)  of  'M\  tons  and  18  tons  cai)acity, 
respectively;  and  two  Scott  furnaces  for  'tierras'  (fine  ore)  of  36  tons 
and  24  tons  capacity.     When  visited  by  the  writer  in  September,  1917, 


"Goodyear,  W.  A.,   Examination  of  tlio  quicksilver  mines  of  California  :   Geol.   Surv. 
of  Cal.,  Geol.,  vol.   II.  pp.   lOfi.   1  I'.t,   un-l.TL'.   1882. 
'See  pp.   231   ct  ficq.,  post. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


165 


these  were  all  being  torn  down,  except  the  p]xelis,  and  treated  for  their 
absorbejd.  qnieksilver.  The  soil  and  gravel  under  the  site  of  the  old 
intermittent  furnaces  and  of  the  Scotts  was  being  excavated  to  bedrock, 
a  depth  of  30  feet,  and  run  through  a  washing  plant  for  recovery  of  the 


Photo  No.  35.  Cottrell  Dust  Precipitator,  or  'Hot  Treater'  (concrete  chamber 
at  left),  and  Condensers  connected  with  Herreschoff  Furnace,  at  Senator 
Mine   of   New   Almaden   Company,    Santa  Clara   County. 

metallic  quicksilver  contained.^    An  important  yield  of  metal  is  being 
obtained  from  this  material. 

At  the  Senator  mine,  in  1917,  a  Herreschoff  multiple-hearth  furnace, 
mechanically  rabbled,  was  handling  the  ore.     A  90-ton  Scott  furnace 


*See  p.  344,  post. 


166 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


has  since  been  erected  and  is  now  (April,  1918)  in  operation.*  As  the 
Ilerreschoff  fnrnace  does  not  work  economically  on  material  coarser 
than  3/4",  the  ore  after  preliminary  breaking  in  a  gyratory  crusher,  is 
passed  over  a  shaking  screen  of  3/4"  mesh,  and  the  oversize  re-crushed 
in  a  jaw  breaker.  A  bucket  elevator  is  included  in  the  equipment,  and 
electric  power  is  used.  The  operation  of  the  Herreschoff  furnace  is 
described  herein  under  the  section  on  Metallurgy.^  Following  the  fur- 
nace is  a  Cottrell  electric  fume-precipitator  (called  the  'hot  treater') 
to  throw  down  the  dust  particles  before  they  can  reach  the  condensers. 


Photo    No.   35a.      New  90-ton   Scott   furnace  at   Senator   Mine  of   New   Almaden   Company. 

The  first  condenser  consists  of  20  iron  pipes  12"  diam.  x  12'  long  (see 
Photo  No.  35)  an  arrangement  patented  by  Landers^"  in  1916,  then 
manager  of  the  New  Almaden  company.  Condensers  #2,  jj:3,  and  #4  are 
redwood-stave  tanks.  12'  diam.  x  16'  high.  No.  2  can  be  seen  at  the 
right  (if  the  photograph.     These  tanks  arc  cleaned  out  once  a  week. 


*Sinor-  the  above  copy  wa.s  prepared,  the  writer  has  visite<l  (.Tune  10/lS)  tlii.s  ni'W 
plant  whifh  is  a  double,  Scott  fine-ore  fnrnace  built  with  4  fireboxes,  and  is  handling 
a  minimum  of  75  ton.s  per  day,  thougli  it  lias  treated  up  to  06  tons  per  24  hours.  It 
is  thus  tlio  largest  Scott  fnrnace  at  present  in  operation.  The  ore  is  crushed  to  pass 
a  2-iiicIi  ring;  and  is  ti'ansported  from  the  crusher  bins,  by  an  inclined  belt-conveyor, 
discliarging  directly  into  the  top  of  the  furnace.  (See  Photo  No.  ."55  A.)  The  side 
walls  of  tlie  fui-nace  are  built  >ip  several  feet  aliove  the  level  of  the  throat,  thus  giving 
an   auxiliary  ore-bin  ,ind   providing  an   automatic   furnace-feed. 

There  are  eiglit  new  condensing  chambeis  connected  with  this  furnace,  arranged  in 
a  double  row.  The  first  cliamber  in  each  row  is  of  concrete,  and  the  other  three  are 
of  tongue  and  groove  redwood,  built  rectangidar.  A  3-foot  redwood-stave  flue  was 
being  put  in  to  connect  the  last  of  tliis  series  of  condensers  to  the  first  circular 
wooden  condenser  of  tlie  HerreschofY  sei-ies.     Crude  oil   is  used  for  fuel. 

"See  pp.   250-253,  post. 

""Ijanders,  W.  IT.,  The  smelting  of  mercury  ores:  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.,  vol.  102,  p.  634, 
Oct.  7,  1916. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  167 

Between  the  condensers  and  the  outlet  stack  is  a  second  Cottrell  fume- 
precipitator  (called  the  'cold  treater')  to  throw  do^^^l  any  remaining 
mercury  'mist'  that  may  still  be  in  the  gas  flow.  It  is  stated  that  a 
little  quicksilver  is  obtained  in  this  cold  treater.  For  the  Cottrell 
electric  precipitators,  the  incoming  line  current  of  440  volts  is  trans- 
formed up  to  50,000  volts  for  the  'hot  treater',  and  to  100,000  volts  for 

the  'cold  treater'. 

During  1916  and  a  part  of  1917,  concentration  plants  including  flo- 
tation units  were  in  operation  at  the  Day  tunnel  and  at  the  Senator 
mine,  but  both  had  been  dismantled  just  previous  to  the  writer's  visit 
in  September,  1917.  These  plants  are  described  in  detail  elsewhere 
herein."  in  the  section  under  Metallurgy. 

There  is  little  or  no  mining  timber  available  in  the  vicinity  of  these 
mines.  Sawed  timber  is  brought  in  by  the  railroad  from  outside  points^ 
Fuel  oil  is  used  at  the  furnaces.  In  September,  1917,  a  total  of  105 
men  were  employed,  including  60  underground,  and  6  at  the  Senator 
furnace  plant. 

Bibl. :  Note— The    New    Almaden    mine    and    plant    have    been 

described  by  so  many  writers,  that  only  the  principal  references 

are  here  given.     Others  will  be  found  in  the  Bibliography  in 

Part  III.  of  this  bulletin. 

Cal   State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  I,  pp.  26,  27;  IV,  pp.  336  et  al; 

YIII,  pp.  541-542;  X,  pp.  604-606;  XI,  pp.  374-375;  XII,  pp. 

367-370;      XIII,     pp.      600-601;     Bull.     27,     pp.      174-186; 

Chapter  rep.   bien.   period  1917-1918,   in  prep.     U.   S.   G.   S., 

Mon.   XIII,   pp.   8,    310-330,   467;   Bull.   78,   pp.   80-83;   Min. 

Res.  1883-1915  inc.     :\Iin.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1867,  pp. 

170-178;  1874,  pp.  33,  380,  540;  1875,  p.  13;  1876,  pp.  4-18,  20. 

Miv    &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  84,  pp.  393^04,  1902:  vol.  87,  p.  201, 

1903;  vol.  100,  pp.  15-16,  446-447;  Feb.  16,  1916,  pp.  282-284. 

Eng.  &  MiN.  Jour.,  vol.  34,  pp.  185-186,  334,  1882 ;  vol.  91,  p. 

85,  1911;  vol.  102,  p.  630,  1916.     Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Geol.  vol. 

I,  p.  68;'vol.  II,  pp.  91-110,  122. 

Santa  Teresa  Mine.  Enos  Fontis,  of  Edenvale,  owner.  This  prop- 
erty is  8  miles  southeast  of  San  Jose  on  the  east  slope  of  the  Santa 
Teresa  hills.  It  was  developed  by  the  Santa  Teresa  Quicksilver  :Min- 
ing  Company,  of  which  R.  H.  Harper  of  San  Jose  was  superintendent. 
A°40-ton  Scott  furnace  was  erected,  and  several  tunnels  driven  into  the 
hill  to  cut  the  vein.  The  country  rock  is  serpentine,  and  the  ledge  mat- 
ter an  alteration  product  of  serpentine  through  silicification,  carrying 
a  low  percentage  of  cinnabar.     After  working  a  few  years,  without 

"See  pp.   343-344,  post. 


168  CALIFORNIA  statf:  mixing  bureau. 

encountering'  any   orebodies   of  sufficient    size   or   riehness   to   warrant 
their  further  exploitation,  the  mine  was  abandoned;  and  is  still  idle. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  27.  p.  186:  CMi;i[)t('r  rep.  bien. 
period,  1917-1918,  in  prep. 

Silver  Creek  Mine  (North  Almaden).  A.  R.  Bradford  et  al.,  owners, 
770  E.  St.  John  St.,  San  Jose.  This  property,  formerly  known  as  the 
North  Almaden  mine,  is  12  miles  by  road  southeast  of  San  Jose,  on  the 
east  side  of  Silver  Creek.  A  large  body  of  serpentine  containing  cin- 
nabar was  found  in  Silver  Creek  gulch,  overlying  Knoxville  gravels. 
This  detached  body  was  evidently  due  to  a  great  landslide  which  is 
plainly  visible  about  the  works.  It  was  approximately  1000'  in  length, 
300'  wide,  60'  in  thickness,  and  was  exhausted  in  a  few  years,  produc- 
ing about  .$60,000  worth  of  quicksilver.  Occasional  prospecting  has 
been  carried  on  since,  but  no  important  ledge  has  been  found  in  {ilace. 
The  property  is  equipped  with  a  20-ton  Scott  furnace  and  a  pipe  retort. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Reports  XII,  p.  367;  XIII,  p.  600; 
Bui.  27,  pp.  187,  235,  238;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1917-1918, 
in  prep. 

Wright  Mine.  Mrs.  A.  Rodgers,  owner,  San  Francisco.  It  is  3 
miles  south  of  the  New  Almaden  Hacienda,  on  Llagas  Creek,  and  is 
said  to  have  produced  some  high-grade  ore  many  years  ago.  It  is  hardly 
more  than  a  prospect,  and  has  had  but  little  deevlopmcnt  work  done  on 
it.     Idle. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XII,  p.  370;  XIII,  p.  600; 
Bull.  27,  p.  187;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1917-191S.  in  prep. 

SHASTA  COUNTY. 

Clover  Creek  Mine  (formerly  Clover  Creek  Cinnabar  Company). 
N.  B.  Frisbie  and  F.  P.  Primm,  owners.  Redding.  It  is  on  patented 
ground  in  Sees.  4  and  5,  T.  32  N.,  R.  1  W.,  M.  1).  M.,  30  miles  north- 
east of  Redding,  and  was  discovered  about  1898.  A  mineralized  zone 
containing  cinnabar  is  reported,  100'  wide,  striking  northwest  and  dip- 
ping 30°,  having  been  treated  for  one-quarter  mile  in  length.  Devel- 
opments consist  of  several  shallow  shafts  the  deepest  of  which  is  ;")()'. 
and  some  drifts.  No  commercial  pi-oduction  of  (|uicksilvt'r  has  as  yd 
been  reported.  Thci-c  is  j^lenty  of  wood  and  watci-  at  haml.  'I'he 
owner  states  that  the  property  has  been  twice  Ijonded  to  St.  Louis 
parties;  but  that  they  spent  most  of  their  money  on  salai-ies  and  office 
rent  instead  of  mine  development. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Mis.  Bur.,  Bull.  27.  u.  196. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  169 

SISKIYOU  COUNTY. 

^  Several  occurrences  of  cinnabar  have  been  noted  in  the  northern 
part  of  Siskiyou  County  in  the  vicinity  of  Oak  Bar  on  the  Klamath 
River,  northwest  from  Yreka.  Some  development  work  has  been  done 
at  intervals,  and  the  records  indicate  a  small  commercial  production  of 
quicksilver  some  years  ago.  There  is  prospect  of  further  output  the 
coming  season.  1918,  in  at  least  one  property.  Cinnabar  is  often  found 
in  the  sluice  boxes  of  the  hydraulic  mines  of  this  district. 

Minnehaha  Mine  (also  known  as  Barton-Lange  Mine).  H.  J.  Barton, 
owner,  Oak  Bar.  It  is  in  Sec.  15,  T.  46  N.,  R.  10  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  on  the 
Klamath  River  near  the  mouth  of  Horse  Creek,  about  5  miles  west  of 
Oak  Bar.  Patented,  20  acres.  Discovered  in  1878.  The  cinnabar 
mineralized  zone  is  in  an  area  of  metamorphic  rocks  stated  to  be  in 
contact  with  granite.  The  development  work  done  so  far  has  all  been 
superficial,  consisting  of  open-cuts  and  ground  sluicing.  About  1916 
some  cinnabar  concentrate  was  obtained  by  ground  shiicing,  about 
enough  it  is  stated  to  yield  4  flasks  of  quicksilver,  but  it  has  not  yet 
been  treated  as  there  is  no  reduction  equipment  at  the  property.  Small 
amounts  of  the  translucent  red,  cinnabar  crystals  obtained  here  by 
sluicing  Avith  pole  riffles  were  formerly  sold  to  the  Chinese  for  medicinal 
purposes. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XIII,  p.  602;  XIV,  p.  870; 
Bull.  27,  p.  196 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period  1913-1914,  p.  126. 

Mt.  Shasta  Cinnabar  Mine  (also  referred  to  as  the  Cowgill  Mine; 
formerly  owned  by  the  Ivanhoe  Quicksilver  Mining  Company).  Mer- 
cury Company  of  America,  owner;  Eugene  C.  Belknap,  manager, 
Yreka.  This  group  of  claims  is  in  Sec.  34,  T.  48  N.,  R.  9  W.,  M.  D.  M., 
on  the  west  fork  of  Beaver  Creek,  10  miles  in  an  air-line  northwest  of 
Gottville,  and  adjoining  Clarretson  Springs.  It  is  12  miles  by  trail, 
or  24  miles  by  a  steep,  difficult  wagon-road  from  Gottville,  and  about 
3  miles  south  of  the  California-Oregon  state  line.  Gottville  is  20  miles 
by  a  good  county  road  down  the  Klamath  River  from  the  Southern 
Pacific  railroad  at  Hornbrook.  Locations  have  been  made  by  this  com- 
pany on  other  quicksilver  prospects  in  nearby  sections,  and  an  option 
taken  on  the  Herzog-^Iorgan  claims  in  Sees.  24  and  25,  T.  47  N.,  R.  8 
W.,  on  Empire  Creek.  Some  work  was  done  years  ago  on  this  prop- 
erty by  the  Siskiyou  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  who  built  a  10-ton 
furnace,  and  are  stated  to  have  produced  a  few  flasks  of  quicksilver. 
The  present  owners  have  recently  completed  a  12-pipe  Johnson-^IcKay 
retort. 

The  cinnabar,  which  is  coarsely  crystalline,  occurs  in  a  wide  mineral- 
ized zone  with  sandstone  and  metamorphic  rocks  some  of  whicli  are 


170  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

schistose.  Belknap  states  that  screen  tests  made  on  the  surface  soil  in 
this  mineralized  zone  showed  that  after  passing  through  a  j"  screen, 
72.3%  of  the  material  will  pass  a  20-mesh  screen  and  assays  0.013% 
mercury.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  apparently  such  a  large  percentage 
of  low-grade  material  can  be  gotten  rid  of  by  simply  screening,  the 
values  being  mainly  in  the  particles  coarser  than  20-mesh,  it  is  pro- 
posed to  adopt  such  a  method  of  ore  dressing.  A  scraper  and  cable 
equipment  Mill  be  installed  for  excavating  the  ore,  which  will  be  passed 
through  a  revolving  screen  with  a  stream  of  water,  as  it  will  be  simpler 
to  carry  the  tailings  away  in  a  launder  than  to  transport  it  dry.  The 
oversize,  or  concentrate,  will  then  be  dried  and  retorted.  It  is  expected 
by  this  method  to  test  out  the  ground.  The  soil  occurs  up  to  a  depth 
of  60  feet.  There  is  plenty  of  water  at  hand  both  for  power  and  mill- 
ing purposes. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XII,  p.  370 ;  XIII.  p.  G02 ; 
XIY,  p.  870;  Bull.  27.  p.  196;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913- 
1914,  p.  126. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


171 


SOLANO  COUNTY. 

The  quicksilver  mines  of  Solano  County  are  situated  on  the  prom- 
inent ridge  known  as  Sulphur  Springs  IMountain  from  five  to  seven 
miles  northeast  of  Vallejo.  This  ridge  trends  northwest,  and  has  been 
the  locus  of  volcanic  or  other  igneous  activity  and  consequent  meta- 
morphism.  The  Vallejo  hot  sulphur  springs  are  on  the  western  side 
of  this  ridge,  about  midway,  being  a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  the  St. 
John's  mine,  and  about  a  mile  northwest  from  the  Brownlie  and  Hast- 
ings properties.  The  St.  John's  mine  is  at  the  northern  end  of  the 
ridge,  the  culminating  point  of  which  is  Mt.  St.  John,  elevation  1110' 
(U.  S.  G.  S.).  The  Brownlie  and  Hastings  w^orkings  are  on  opposite 
sides  of  the  ridge,  about  three  miles  southeast  from  the  St.  John's  mine 
which  has  been  the  only  important  producer  of  quicksilver  in  Solano 
County. 

The  recorded  production  of  quicksilver  in  Solano  County  is  shown 
in  the  accompanying  tabulation: 

Quicksilver    Production    of   Solano   County. 


Tear 

Flasks 

Value 

Year 

Flasks 

Value 

1873 

1,800 
1,900 
2,100 
1,683 
1,463 

802 
1,290 

492 

$144,594 
199,842 
176,715 
74,052 
54,570 
26,386 
38,507 
15,252 

1906    

1907    

528 
640 
764 

$19,272 

1874 

24,422 

1875   ---      -.     . 

1908    

a3,294 

1876 

1909 

1877 

1910 

1878     _                  

1911    

1879 

1912 

1880 

1913 

1881 

1914                .      -     -  - 

320 
466 
660 
554 

15,680 

1901       --          

1915    

35.000 

1902 

42 

100 

-377 

542 

1,890 

4,100 

15,080 

18,518 

1916 

61,710 

1903 

1917      . 

52,765 

1904    

1905             

Totals 

16,523 

$1,011,649 

*Flaslcs  of  75  pounds  since  .June,  1004;  of  76^  pounds  previously. 

Brownlie  Mine.  John  Brownlie  Estate,  owner,  Vallejo.  It  is  on 
patented  ground,  on  the  western  side  of  Sulphur  Springs  ]\Iountain, 
about  -i  mile  due  west  from  the  Hastings  mine,  and  4  miles  north  of 
east  from  Vallejo.  It  is  in  Sec.  10,  T.  3  N.,  R.  3  W.,  M.  D.  M. ;  eleva- 
tion 600'  (U.  S.  G.  S.).  Some  work  was  done  on  this  property  in  the 
'70 's,  but  it  consi-sted  only  of  .shallow,  surface  cuts.  An  option  has 
recently  been  given  by  the  owners  to  parties  who  may  soon  start  explor- 
ation work. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  IMix.  Bur.,  Reports  VIII,  p.  631;  XIII.  p.  599. 

Hastings  Mine.  Hastings  Estate,  owner;  Chas.  Wendell  Hunt, 
agent ;  White  Investment  Company,  lessee,  G.  A.  Newhall  et  al..  New- 
hall   Building,    #206   California    St.,    San   Francisco;   John   Andrews, 


172  CALIKOKMA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

superintendent  at  the  mine.  It  is  in  Sec.  11,  T.  3  N.,  R.  3  W.,  M.  D. 
I\r..  on  the  eastern  side  of  Sulphur  Springs  Mountain.  7  miles  by  road 
north  of  Benicia,  and  4j  miles  in  an  air-line,  north  of  east  from  Val- 
le.jo.  The  lea.se  covers  the  mineral  rights  on  600  acres  of  the  Suscol 
Raneho,  also  known  as  the  D.  N.  Hastings  Sulphur  Spring  Valley 
Kanch.  The  property  was  originally  operated  in  the  '70 's  by  a  series 
of  shallow  surface  cuts,  and  'coyote  holes'.  Some  work  is  reported  to 
have  been  done  about  1904-1905,  but  apparent!}^  no  production  of 
metal  was  then  made.  A  small  yield  was  reported  in  1916.  In  P^eb- 
ruary,  1917,  the  mine  was  reopened  by  A.  G.  Kullberg,  et  al.,  under 
lease;  and  a  fair  output  of  quicksilver  made,  the  lease  being  trans- 
ferred to  the  present  operators  in  November. 

The  mineralization  occurs  in  a  brecciated  zone  about  •l:0'-60'  wide, 
striking  W.  of  N.,  and  dipping  70^-80°' W.  There  is  an  igneous  mass 
(dike?)  on  the  hanging-wall  side,  which  resembles  the  granular,  meta- 
andesite  dikes  of  the  St.  John's  mine  and  which  w^ere  formerly 
described  as  'metamorphic  sandstone.'  The  ore  occurs  in  the  fractures 
of  the  brecciated  rocks.  An  indurated  shale  or  chert,  and  opaline 
material  were  noted.  Both  cinnabar  and  metacinnabarite  are  present, 
being  mainly  crystalline,  with  little  or  no  pyrite  apparent.  The  main 
tunnel  cuts  the  vein  at  950'  in,  and  continues  another  150'  to  the 
igneous  formation  noted  above.  This  gives  a  depth  of  112'  below  the 
outcrop.  It  is  stated  that  on  the  surface  some  ore  has  also  been  found 
on  the  other  (west)  side  of  this  igneous  rock.  In  fact,  the  Brownlie 
mine  is  on  the  west  side  of  it,  ^  mile  distant.  There  is  another  adit, 
20'  above  the  main  level.  There  is  one  slope  30'  high  x  15'  long  x  10' 
wide,  and  another  40'x20'x20',  besides  other  smaller  ones.  The  mine 
car  dumps  into  a  small  ore-bin  with  a  grizzly,  at  the  portal  of  the  main 
adit,  from  which  point  the  ore  is  hauled  in  a  dump  cart,  about  200 
yards  down  the  hill  to  the  furnaces. 

Reduction  equipment  consists  of  a  small,  Neate  coarse-ore  furnace  of 
about  6  tons  eapacit.y,  and  a  bank  of  3  retorts  similar  to  a  large  'D' 
retort  but  having  a  rectangular  cross-section,  instead  of  an  arched  top. 
They  have  a  capacity  of  li  tons  each  per  day.  They  are  arranged  to 
use  oil,  but  when  visited  l)y  the  writer  (IMarch,  1918),  were  being  fired 
by  coke,  because  of  inability  to  get  oil  for  a  time.  The  Neate  coarse- 
ore  furnace  is  not  now  utilized.  There  are  4  brick  condensers,  with  3 
chambers,  each.  The  ore  being  treated  was  yielding  1.72%  mercury. 
Thci'c  were  9  men  employed. 

Bibl.:  Cai.  State  Mik.  Bur.,  Report  XI II,  p.  599. 

St.  John's  Mine  (originally  referred  to  as  the  Vallejo).  St.  John's 
Mines  Company,  owner;  Clifford  0.  Deiuiis,  president  and  manager, 
X'allcjo;    C.    F.    Colmai'.   secretary,   ^[(u-hanies   Institute   Building.    San 


,  W^j 


MAP 

ST.  JOHNS  QUIC 

NE 

VALLEJO.SOl 


SCALE    ( 

0  zoo      400 

1  I '       >^=> 

G£OLOGy  By  ost 


AccomponL//nff  Bij//6 


PLATE  XX. 


IVH/  TE  A  RE  AS  -  i/AfS  TUD'ED 


Accomponi//nff  Bu//etinNo.  78,  Co/ifom/o State Mjning Bureau 


SERPE/^  TiNE 


E   R0>-   WESTON,  oei 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  173 

Francisco.  It  is  in  See.  33,  T.  4  N.,  R.  3  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  6  miles  north- 
east from  A'alle.jo,  with  an  e.xcellent  oiled  road  to  within  1  mile  of  the 
furnaces.  The  mine  is  at  the  northern  end  of  the  Sulphur  Springs 
Mountain  ridge.  Cinnal)ar  was  first  found  here  in  1852  by  John  Neate, 
who  carried  on  prospecting  in  a  small  way  for  a  number  of  years. 
Commercial  production  of  quicksilver  began  in  July,  1873,  with  the 
mine's  discoverer  as  superintendent,  who  first  built  here  the  Neate 
coarse-ore  furnace.  This  first  producing  period  continued  to  1880, 
yielding  a  total  of  11,530  flasks  in  the  seven  years.  The  St.  John's 
Consolidated  Quicksilver  IMining  Company  reopened  the  mine  in  1899 
and  continued  production  up  to  1909,  following  which  only  a  small 
amount  of  development  work  and  occasional  retimbering  to  keep  the 
mine  open  was  done  until  the  present  operators  took  over  the  property 
in  1914.  The  total  recorded  production  of  the  St.  John's  mine  has 
been  16.453  flasks  of  quicksilver  to  the  end  of  1917. 

GEOLOGY. 

A  detailed  study  of  the  geology  of  the  St.  John's  orebodies  and 
adjacent  formations  was  made  in  1916  by  Oscar  H.  Hershey,  from 
whose  report^  most  of  the  following  geological  data  are  abstracted,  and 
the  accompanying  maps.  (Plates  XX  and  XXI)  reproduced.  The 
rocks  consist  primarily  of  a  series  of  sedimentary  beds  and  igneous 
intrusions  therein.  The  intrusive  rocks  have  been  highly  altered,  at 
least  near  the  surface,  and  only  remotely  indicate  their  original  condi- 
tion. The  sediments  are  Lower  Cretaceous  in  age  and  appear  to  Ix' 
divisible  into  two  series,  the  earlier  of  which  may  possibly  be  Fran- 
ciscan, but  because  of  not  yet  being  definitely  identified  as  such  is  here 
designated  the  'Lower  Series'.  The  upper  series  is  bf  Knoxville  for- 
mations. 

The  Lower  Series:  The  summit  of  Mt.  St.  John  and  the  rugged  ridge 
extending  thence  northwest  to  the  old  St.  John's  furnace  has  extensive 
outcrops  of  rather  hard  rocks  consisting  basally  of  a  light-gray,  rather 
Iieavy-bedded  sandstone,  succeeded  by  shaly  and  calcareous  layers  of 
dark-graj^  color.  These  rocks  strike  northwest  and  near  the  summit  of 
the  mountain  dip  southwest  50°,  but  they  straighten  to  nearly  vertical 
toward  the  northwest.  The  sandstone  may  be  80  feet  thick  and  the 
shaly  division  several  hundred  feet.  Beyond  a  fault  of  small  throw 
as  shown  on  the  map,  the  sandstone  appears  to  have  been  cut  out  and 
only  the  shaly  belt  outcrops.  The  shaly  division  seems  to  become  more 
calcareous  toward  the  northwest  and  at  a  i)oint  about  500  feet  north- 
west of  the  old  furnace,  it  appears  as  a  considerable  body  of  light-gray 
impure  limestone.     This  limestone  is  traversed  l)y  a  network  of  quartz 


'An  unpublished  private  report  made  for  the  St.  John's  company,  and  kindly  loaned 
with  accompanying  maps  to  the  present  author  by  courtesy  of  the  manager,  Mr. 
Clifford  G.   Dennis,   with  permission  to  publish. 


I 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  173 

Francisco.  It  is  in  Sec.  33,  T.  4  N.,  R.  3  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  6  miles  north- 
east from  A'allejo,  with  an  excellent  oiled  road  to  within  1  mile  of  the 
furnaces.  The  mine  is  at  the  northern  end  of  the  Sulphur  Springs 
INIountain  ridge.  Cinnabar  was  first  found  liere  in  1852  by  John  Neate, 
who  carried  on  prospecting  in  a  small  way  for  a  number  of  years. 
Commercial  production  of  quicksilver  began  in  July,  1873,  with  the 
mine's  discoverer  as  superintendent,  w^ho  first  built  here  the  Neate 
coarse-ore  furnace.  This  first  producing  period  continued  to  1880, 
yielding  a  total  of  11,530  flasks  in  the  seven  years.  The  St.  John's 
Consolidated  Quicksilver  IMining  Company  reopened  the  mine  in  1899 
and  continued  production  up  to  1909,  following  which  only  a  small 
amount  of  development  work  and  occasional  retimbering  to  keep  the 
mine  open  was  done  until  the  present  operators  took  over  the  property 
in  1914.  The  total  recorded  production  of  the  St.  John's  mine  has 
been  16,453  flasks  of  quicksilver  to  the  end  of  1917. 

GEOLOGY. 

A  detailed  study  of  the  geology  of  the  Sti  John's  orebodies  and 
adjacent  formations  was  made  in  1916  by  Oscar  H.  Hershey,  from 
whose  report^  most  of  the  following  geological  data  are  abstracted,  and 
the  accompanying  maps.  (Plates  XX  and  XXI)  reproduced.  The 
rocks  consist  primarily  of  a  series  of  sedimentary  beds  and  igneous 
intrusions  therein.  The  intrusive  rocks  have  been  highly  altered,  at 
least  near  the  surface,  and  only  remotely  indicate  their  original  condi- 
tion. The  sediments  are  Lower  Cretaceous  in  age  and  appear  to  1k' 
divisible  into  two  series,  the  earlier  of  which  may  possibly  be  Fran- 
ciscan, but  because  of  not  yet  being  definitely  identified  as  such  is  here 
de.signated  the  'Lower  Series'.  The  upper  series  is  of  Knoxville  for- 
mations. 

The  Lower  Series:  The  summit  of  Mt.  St.  John  and  the  rugged  ridge 
extending  thence  northwest  to  the  old  St.  John's  furnace  has  extensive 
outcrops  of  rather  hard  rocks  consisting  basally  of  a  light-gray,  rather 
heavy-bedded  sandstone,  succeeded  by  shaly  and  calcareous  layers  of 
dark- gray  color.  These  rocks  strike  northwest  and  near  the  summit  of 
the  mountain  dip  southwest  50°,  but  they  straighten  to  nearly  vertical 
toward  the  northwest.  The  sandstone  may  be  80  feet  thick  and  the 
shaly  division  several  hundred  feet.  Beyond  a  fault  of  small  throw 
as  shown  on  the  map,  the  sandstone  appears  to  have  been  cut  out  and 
only  the  shaly  belt  outcrops.  The  shaly  division  seems  to  become  more 
calcareous  toward  the  northwest  and  at  a  point  about  500  feet  north- 
west of  the  old  furnace,  it  appears  as  a  considerable  body  of  light-gray 
impure  limestone.     This  limestone  is  traversed  by  a  network  of  quartz 


'An  unpublished  private  report  made  for  the  St.  John'.s  company,  and  kindly  loaned 
with  accompanying  map.s  to  the  present  author  by  courtesy  of  the  manager,  Mr. 
Clifford  G.   Dennis,   with  permission   to  publish. 


174  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

seams.  Throug-hout  a  larger  part  of  tlie  formatiou  the  quartz  was  very 
abundant,  and  has  given  rise,  through  the  decay  of  the  limestone,  to 
rough  outcrops  of  very  porous  flinty  quartz.  This  quartz-skeleton 
country  has  been  locally  called  'carbonate  rock',  and  most  of  it  on  this 
property  is  associated  with  serpentine.  In  the  particular  area  now 
under  discussion,  the  main  body  of  which  is  about  1000'  long  and  300'- 
400'  wide,  some  serpentine  was  recognized  and  a  fine-grained  granular 
rock  that  represents  a  basic  intrusion  different  from  that  which  altered 
to  serpentine ;  but,  the  main  body  is  a  great  mass  of  skeletal  quartz 
with  interstices  either  filled  with  fine-grained,  calcite-like  limestone,  or 
is  leached  and  iron-stained.  The  structure  and  hence  thickness  are  not 
clear.  Probably  most  of  it  has  a  rather  low,  southerly  dip,  and  the 
maximum  thickness  may  be  not  over  100'  or  150'. 

The  attitude  of  the  'Lower  Series'  in  relation  to  that  of  the  rocks 
surrounding  the  area  indicates  that  it  is  bordered  on  the  northeast  by 
a  fault  of  considerable  throw  and  on  the  southeast  b}'  a  fault  of  great 
throw.  The  northwest  limit  is  probably  a  fault,  but  the  southwest 
limit  has  sufficient  irregularity  as  to  suggest  that  it  is  the  line  of  orig- 
inal contact  between  the  Lower  Series  and  the  overlying  Knoxville 
series,  a  contact  that  probably  represents  a  non-conformity. 

Knoxville  Series :  This  series  consists  predominantly  of  a  great  thick- 
ness, probably  many  hundreds  of  feet,  of  dark-olive,  to  nearly  black 
soft  shale,  which  is  evenly  and  thinly  laminated.  The  lower  portion 
of  it  is  characterized  by  the  presence  of  many  lentils,  usually  not  over 
2'  or  3'  in  length  and  2"  to  6"  thick  of  fine-grained  compact  limestone 
of  brownish-gray  color.  These  weather  out  into  hard  boulders  that 
accumulate  along  the  gulleys.  The  limestone  lentils  may  be  seen  at 
various  places  on  the  100',  160',  and  260'  levels.  They  are  of  no 
economic  significance  but  aid  in  the  determination  of  the  structure. 
At  a  higher  horizon,  thin  beds  of  brown,  fine-grained,  soft,  impure 
sandstone  appear  in  the  shales.  Particular  attention  was  given  to  a 
study  of  the  attitude  of  the  Knoxville  rocks,  because  of  an  opinion  then 
held  at  the  mine  that  the  ore  occurs  chiefly  where  faults  are  intersect- 
ing certain  sandstone  ])eds.  The  mine  workings,  so  far  as  studied,  are 
in  a  fairly  uniform  block  of  Knoxville  formation  dipping  northeast  at 
an  average  angle  of  35°,  though  locally  somewhat  di.sluihed  especially 
along  the  faults. 

Serpentine :  The  sedimentary  series  were  inti-uded  b}'  peridotite, 
which  was  subsecjuently  altered  to  serpentine.  The  serpentine  areas 
were  doubtless  at  one  time  co-extensive  with  wluit  hns  been  mapped  as 
serpentine  and  'silica-carbonate'  rock,  except  a  portion  northwest  of 
the  old  St.  John's  furnace  discussed  above. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  175 

'Silica-Carbonate  Rock':  A  large  part  of  the  serpentine  has  been 
altered  to  an  aggregate  of  carbonates  of  iron,  magnesia,  and  lime 
traversed  by  small  veins  of  chalcedony,  opal,  and  quartz.  This 
weathers  into  a  skeleton  of  rusty  quartz.  Except  on  Mt.  Lutfman, 
none  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  property  occur  in  this  material, 
but  there  is  an  area  extending  southwest  from  the  new  furnace,  in 
which  conditions  appear  to  be  favorable  for  the  formation  of  ore  in  this 
phase  of  rock. 

Dike  Rock:  The  important  rock  from  an  economic  standpoint,  is  a 
certain  type  of  intrusive  that  occurs  in  many  relatively  small  bodies  in 
the  easternmost  one-third  of  the  property.  The  rock  has  been  highly 
altered  and  at  present  appears  to  be  largely  a  fine-grained  aggregate  of 
silica  and  carbonates.  In  outcrop  it  is  a  pinkish-brown,  fine-grained 
rock  consisting  of  white,  fine-grained  replacement  quartz  abounding  in 
small  porous  areas  stained  brown  by  limonite.  There  are  some  black 
manganese  stains  and  traces  of  a  carbonate,  probably  calcite.  Under- 
ground it  is  whiter  and  more  compact,  and  has  frequently  very  fine- 
grained pyrite  disseminated.  This  is  the  rock  that  in  former  published 
accounts  was  designated  as  a  metamorphic  sandstone.  On  the  350-foot 
level  it  has  been  found  apparently  much  less  altered  than  above,  and 
by  examination  of  thin-sections  has  been  identified  as  a  'meta-andesite'. 
It  is  a  light-gray  crystalline  rock,  having  somewhat  the  appearance 
of  a  very  compact,  fine-grained  sandstone,  resembling  some  of  the  Fran- 
ciscan metamorphic  sandstones.  "The  important  fact  is  that  it  is  an 
intrusive  rock  that  was  injected  into  Knoxville  shales  in  bodies  that 
are  generally  more  or  less  elongated  in  a  north  to  northwest  direction, 
forming  short  blunt  dikes,  though  a  few  are  rounded  or  irregular 
chimneys  to  which  the  term  dike  can  only  be  applied  by  courtesy. 
Some  of  them  tend  to  follow  the  bedding  on  the  dip,  but  most  of  them 
cut  the  bedding  planes  at  high  angles.  Where  the  borders  are  not 
faults,  the  contacts  are  typically  intricate  intrusive  contacts,  with 
angular  fragments  of  the  shale  in  the  dikes.  Furthermore,  the  shales 
near  the  contact  have  been  altered  to  a  hard,  black,  siliceous  shaly 
material.  No  further  evidence  is  needed  to  prove  that  these  bodies 
are  intrusive.  These  dike-like  masses  show  no  tendency  to  pinch  with 
depth,  but  rather  the  opposite."  To  facilitate  correlation  of  these 
dikes  from  level  to  level,  they  have  been  designated  by  letters,  on  the 
map.  At  least  11  of  these  dikes  have  been  identified,  the  most  impor- 
tant ones  from  the  standpoint  of  associated  orebodies  thus  far  devel- 
oped, being  dikes  C,  D,  and  E. 

Faults:  The  rocks  of  the  area  are  traversed  in  various  directions  by 
many  faults,  most  of  them  of  small  displacement.  To  facilitate  their 
correlation  from  level  to  level,  the  more  important  ones  are  designated 
on  the  map  by  numbers.     At  least  20  of  these  have  been  so  designated. 


176 


CALlFOKNrA   STATK   WINING  BUREAU. 


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QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


177 


One  of  the  most  important  is  No.  4  fault.  Most  of  tliem  have  north- 
east courses  and  dip  northwest ;  thougli  a  few  swing  by  east  to  south, 
dipping"  east  finally.  Another  group  that  tends  to  strike  N.  to  W.  of 
N.  and  dip  eastward,  faults  the  first  group.  There  are  a  few  prac- 
tically vertical  faults,  but  they  do  not  seem  to  form  a  definite  system. 
Orebodies :  The  orebodies  have  formed  invariably  (the  ]\It.  Luffman 
and  old  St.  John's  deposits  excepted)  in  the  dikes,  or  the  hardened 
shale  along-  the  borders  of  the  dikes,  or  in  the  fault  breccias  near  the 
dikes.  The  faulting  of  the  roclvs  formed  fissures  along  which  hot  water 
ascended  and  deposited  quartz,  calcite,  cinnabar,  and  pyrite  or  mar- 


Photo   No.   36.      St.    John's    Mine,    near    Vallejo,    Solano    County.     Mt.    St.   John   in   the 

left   distance. 

casite.  A  thick,  dark-brown  mineral  oil  which  burns  readily  when  a 
candle  is  applied  to  it,  is  found  in  the  jointages  and  fissures  in  and  near 
the  orebodies. 

"lu  the  soft  shales  the  fault  movements  made  strong  gouges  and 
there  were  no  open  fractures  and  hence  there  is  no  ore.  Where  the 
faults  cut  the  harder  dike  rock,  there  was  more  or  less  brecciation  and 
open  fractures  were  formed  in  great  numbers.  Thus  the  role  played 
by  the  dikes  was  a  purely  mechanical  one.  ^Mueh  of  the  richest  ore 
occurs  in  the  fault  breccias  on  the  border  of  the  dikes.  By  far  the 
commonest  form  of  occurrence  is  in  connection  with  thin  seams  that 
extended  across  the  larger  dikes  from  wall  to  wall.  A  group  of 
parallel   seams   in   places   produces   a    sheeted   zone     These   fractures 

12-38540 


178 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


X 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  179 

often  have  no  apparent  direct  connection  witli  the  faults,  but  they 
were  doubtless  the  result  of  stresses  set  up  in  the  dikes  by  neighboring 
fault  movements.  Another  favorable  site  for  ore  is  in  certain  portions 
of  the  hardened  shale  on  the  borders  of  the  dikes  that  were  more  or 
less  brecciated  by  the  general  fault  movement,  though  not  necessarily 
adjacent  to  any  known  fault  gouge. 

"Thus  the  undisturbed  contacts  between  the  dikes  and  shales  are 
invariably  barren.  Large  sections  of  the  dikes  are  barren  because 
they  are  not  sheeted  or  brecciated.  Long  stretches  of  the  faults  are 
barren  because  there  is  too  much  soft  gouge.  But  almost  invariably 
where  the  proper  combination  of  a  dike  and  a  fault  is  encountered 
there  is  more  or  less  cinnabar  and  usually  some  commercial  ore." 

In  the  deposit  on  Mt.  LuflPraan,  pockets  of  high-grade  ore  were  mined 
from  the  silica-carbonate  rock.  In  the  old  St.  John's  mine  on  Mt.  St. 
John,  cinnabar  seems  to  have  occurred  in  hard  shales  near  faults,  and 
where  structural  conditions  may  enable  the  ore-shoots  to  extend  to  con- 
siderable depth. 

Mine  workings. 

From  the  foregoing,  and  an  examination  of  the  map  (Plate  XX), 
it  is  seen  that  there  are  three  principal  ore-bearing  localities  in  the  area 
of  the  property:  The  earliest  workings  on  Mt.  St.  John's;  the  smaller 
workings  on  jNIt.  Luffman ;  and  the  present  main  workings  M'hicli  are  to 
the  eastward  of  a  line  between  the  other  two.  The  main  working  level 
is  an  adit  above  the  furnace  level.  It  connects  with  the  shaft  at  the 
160'  level  and  is  in  over  1100'.  •  The  shaft  is  down  400',  reaching  a 
depth  of  650'  vertical,  below  the  outcrop.  There  are  3  main  levels 
from  the  shaft  (see  Plate  XXII)  and  5  intermediates.  It  is  proposed 
to  further  prospect  the  deposits  on  Mt.  Luffman  and  Mt.  St.  John. 

REDUCTION   EQUIPMENT. 

The  ore  is  trammed  from  the  main  adit,  around  the  hill  to  the 
crusher  and  drier  building  above  the  furnaces.  (See  Photo  No.  36.) 
Below  the  grizzly  is  a  shaking  screen  with  If"  openings.  The  oversize 
goes  to  the  coarse-ore  bin,  and  the  through  material  is  elevated  to  the 
fine-ore  bin  from  which  it  is  fed  automatically  into  the  ore  drier. 
There  is  an  automatic  ore-sampler  attached  to  the  bucket  elevator;  and 
the  furnace  tailings  are  sampled  by  hand.  The  ore  drier  (see  Photo 
No.  57,  post)  is  of  a  design  developed  by  Mr.  Dennis,  built  of  steel 
plates  and  channel  bars,  and  fired  b}^  crude  oil.  It  is  26'  long,  with  the 
tire-box  at  the  lower  end.  The  space  underneath  is  divided  into  three 
flues  longitudinally,  the  flames  going  up  the  two  outer  passages,  then 
l)aek  down  the  center  one  to  the  stack.  From  the  drier,  the  fine  ore 
is  trammed  to  the  18-ton  Scott  furnace,  which  was  built  by  the  present 
operators  in  1915.     Crude  oil  is  used  for  fuel,  the  burner  having  an 


180  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

air  atomizer.  There  are  also  two  10-ton  Neate  coarse-ore  furnaces, 
but  they  have  not  been  kept  in  continuous  operation  since  the  new, 
Scott  furnace  has  been  in  service.  Coke  is  used  in  these  Neate 
furnaces. 

The  furnace  temperatures  are  watched  by  means  of  a  Brown  elec- 
tric pyrometer, — E.  F.  8;  Resist.  554.3  ohms, — having  a  6-point  switch. 
There  are  six  points  of  observation,  the  first  three  being  in  the  Scott 
furnace :  1,  Fire-box ;  2.  Top  of  first  arch ;  3.  Furnace  discharge ; 
4.  Coarse-ore  furnace ;  5.  Halfway  point  in  condenser  line ;  6.  Stack. 
It  is  intended  to  change  #4  to  the  end  of  jj^2  condenser.  At  first,  a 
recording  pyrometer  was  used  on  the  Scott,  but  it  was  found  that 
sometimes  the  furnace  man  neglected  to  look  at  the  record  and  the  fire 
went  up  or  down  without  attention.  With  the  present  apparatus  it  is 
necessary  for  the  shift  man,  hourlj^  to  make  the  eontaets  with  the 
switch  and  write  down  the  temperatures  on  a  tabulated  sheet.  By 
this  system,  close  regulation  of  the  temperatures  is  obtained.  A  25 
h.  p.  Fairbanks-Morse,  type  Y,  semi-Diesel  oil  engine  furnishes  power 
for  the  blower  and  air  compressor.  In  addition  to  the  brick  chambers, 
a  series  of  flues  and  T's  of  brow^n,  glazed  sewer-pipe  is  used  for  con- 
densers. Dennis  considers  that  these  clay  pipes  give  greater  radiation 
than  wood,  brick  or  stone.  In  September,  1917,  it  was  stated  that  the 
cost  of  producing  each  flask  of  quicksilver  was  $15  more  than  that  in 
September,  1916,  which  in  turn  was  at  least  33%  greater  than  the  cost 
in  1914.  This  is  due  to  the  increased  cost  of  materials  and  labor,  and 
to  lower  labor  efficiency.     There  are  25  men  employed. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  I,  p.  26 ;  VIII,  p.  631 :  X.  p. 
661;  XIII,  p.  599;  Bull.  20,  p.  19;  XIV,  p.  311-312;  Bull.  27, 
pp.  93-97;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period  1913-1914,  pp.  139-140. 
U.  S.  G.  S.  ]\ron.  XIII,  p.  378 ;  An.  Rep.  XXI.  Pt.  VI.  p.  278 ; 
Min.  Res.  1907,  1908,  1909,  1910,  1911,  1912.  Mix.  Res.  W.  of 
Rocky  Mts.,  1873,  p.  10;  1874,  pp.  30,  31;  1875,  pp.  14,  178; 
1876,  p.  20.     Min.  &  Sci.  Press.,  Vol.  109,  p.  585. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  181 

SONOMA  COUNTY. 

The  Sonoma  County  quicksilver  deposits,  particularly  those  of  the 
Pine  Flat  district,  are  among  the  oldest  known  in  the  state.  They 
vary  in  character  from  the  ordinary,  mainly  cinnabar-bearing  ores,  and 
the  less  common  meta-cinnabarite,  to  the  purely  native  mercury  type 
as  in  the  Rattlesnake  and  the  Socrates.  This  last  named  group  is 
found  in  the  Pine  Flat  district,  southeast  of  The  Geysers;  and  has 
proven  so  far  the  most  difficult  to  handle  both  from  a  mining  and  a 
metallurgical  standpoint. 

Prospecting  and  exploitation  of  the  Pine  Flat  belt  of  deposits  began 
in  the  early  sixties  and  in  1861  some  33,000  feet  of  claims  had  been 
located  on  it.^  Among  the  claims  being  worked  in  that  year  were  the 
Cincinnati,  Dead  Broke,  Pittsburg,  Pioneer  (later  renamed  Socrates), 
and  Denver.  Though  small  amounts  of  quicksilver  were  produced  by 
a  retort  from  the  Pioneer's  native  mercury  ore,  the  result  was  not 
profitable  from  a  pecuniary  standpoint'.  The  first  definitely  recorded 
output  of  quicksilver  in  the  county  was  from  the  Sonoma  mine  in  the 
same  district  in  1873.^ 

"With  the  exception  of  the  Great  Eastern  lode  which  is  isolated  from 
the  other  quicksilver  deposits  of  this  section  of  the  state,  the  quick- 
silver mines  of  Sonoma  County  are  located  at  the  western  end  of  what 
is  known  as  the  Mayacmas  District  (see  Plate  V,  ante),  the  general 
geology  of  which  is  described  in  a  preceding  section^  of  the  present 
report.  The  Cloverdale  is  the  westernmost  mine  on  this  belt.  The 
ore-bearing  zone,  which  strikes  southeast  in  the  Cloverdale  turns 
abruptly  to  the  south  at  the  Squaw  and  Buckeye  claims,  crossing  to 
the  opposite  side  of  Big  Sulphur  Creek;  then  turning  again  runs  south 
of  east  through  the  Esperanza  mine,  passing  to  the  south  of  The  Gey- 
sers and  continuing  southeasterly  through  the  Socrates  mine  in  the 
Pine  Flat  section.  In  the  Cloverdale,  the  dip  is  northeast  at  about 
70^,  east  at  the  Buckeye,  and  southwest  at  the  Socrates.  While  native 
mercury  is  a  characteristic  in  the  southeastern  part  of  this  zone,  none 
is  found  in  it  north  of  Big  Sulphur  Creek. 

As  Avill  be  noted  from  the  table  of  production,  there  have  been  two 
principal  periods  of  activity  in  the  yield  of  quicksilver  from  Sonoma 
County  mines  previous  to  the  present  one,  1874  to  1883  and  1888  to 
1906.     From  1882  to  1894,  the  Great  Eastern  mine  was  the  only  pro- 

^Whitney.  J.  D..  Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Geology,  Vol.  I,  p.  89,  1865. 
=Raymon<.l.  R.  "\V.,  Min.  Res.  West  of  the  Rockv  Mts.,  1874,  p.  30. 
sSee  pp.  30-32,  ante. 


182 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


ducer.  "  The  recorded  production,  to  the  end  of  1917  has  been  as  fol- 
lows : 

Quicksilver   Production    of   Sonoma    County. 


Ye.nr 


asks 

Value 

50 

$4,017 

1897 

1,700 

178,806 

1898 

1,218 

102,495 

1899 

3,897 

171,468 

1900 

3,609 

134,616 

1901 

3,255 

106,890 

1902 

2,977 

88,923 

190:3 

1.445 

44,795 

1904 

1,273 

37,974 

1905 

2,124 

59,960 

1906 

1,669 

47,984 

1907 

332 

10,126 

1908 

446 

13,715 

1909 

735 

26,093 

1910 

689 

29,196 

1911 

1,151 

48,918 

1912 

1,345 

60,525 

191. S 

1,046 

54,915 

1914 

1,660 

75,115 

1915 

1,&30 

66.357 

1916 

1,445 

53,104 

1917 

1,368 

41,998 

1,813 

70,707 

r 

1,126 

37,1.50 

Year 


Flasks 

Value 

1.538 

$.59,982 

1.704 

63,048 

2,119 

105,9.50 

2,209 

99,500 

2.130 

95,8.50 

1,440 

64.685 

2,404 

98,676 

*2,70O 

102,829 

2,584 

97,041 

2,070 

75,555 

560 

21,.369 

.590 

24.939 

.344 

14,226 

260 

11,765 

94 

4,32o 

646 

27,  ms 

12 

48:; 

13 

638 

1.59 

21.793 

1,039 

97,146 

2,592 

244,810 

65,210 

!?2.897.61o 

1873  . 

1874  . 

1875  . 

1876  - 

1877  - 

1878  . 

1879  . 

1880  - 

1881  . 

1882  . 

1883  . 

1884  - 

1885  _ 

1886  . 

1887  . 

1888  , 

1889  - 

1890  - 

1891  - 

1892  _ 

1893  . 

1894  - 

1895  . 

1896  - 


Totals. 


*Flasks  of  7.3  pounrl.s  since  June,  1904;  previously  76S  pounds. 

Almaden,  Incandescent  and  Tunnel  Site  Group.  These  prospects 
near  the  Socrates  mine  have  been  abandoned  several  years.  A  10-pipe 
retort  was  built. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  343:  Bull.  27.  p. 
97 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period  1913-1914.  p.  171. 

Altamont  Copper  Group.  Quicksilver  has  been  reported  on  these 
copper  claims  north  of  Camp  Meeker,  but  no  definite  vein  or  orebody 
has  been  found. 

Bil)l. :  Cal.  State  :\Tin.  Bur.,  Report  XIY,  p.  343 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period  1913-1914.  p.  171. 

Bacon  Consolidated  Group.     On  Pine  Mountain.     Abandoned. 

Bibl:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  343;  Bull.  27,  p.  97; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  171. 

Boston  Group.  C.  P.  Gerald.  oAvner,  Pine  Flat.  These  prospects 
about  a  mile  east  of  the  Pine  Flat  schoolhouse  have  been  idle  for  sev- 
eral years  past.  It  is  stated  that  a  homestead  has  been  filed  on  the 
land. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV.  p.  343;  Bull.  27,  p.  97; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  171. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  183 

Buckeye  Claim  (Mt.  Vernon).  C.  A.  Baumeister  and  George  Hem- 
enway.  dwiu'i's.  Cloverdale.  It  is  in  Sees.  8  and  i,  T.  11  N.,  R.  9  W., 
:\I.  D.  .M..  11  miles  east  of  Cloverdale;  elevation  2100  feet  (bar.). 
This  was  fonnerly  the  Mt.  Vernon  elaim  of  the  Cloverdale  group, 
which  it  adjoins,  and  was  relocated  by  the  present  owners  in  1910. 
Subsequent  court  proceedings  confirmed  their  title  to  the  ground.  The 
ore-bearing  zone  is  stated  to  l)e  100  feet  wide  and  is  made  up  of  chert, 
impregnated  sandstone,  and  stockworks,  carrying  cinnabar.  Only  the 
necessary  annual  assessment  work  hais  been  done  recently.  It  is  being 
developed  on  three  levels  by  an  open-cut  and  two  adits,  the  lowest  of 
which  will  give  200'  of  backs.  There  is  a  shaft  of  50',  and  a  tunnel 
of  300'.  which  were  driven  by  the  original  locators.  There  are  200  tons 
of  ore  said  to  average  5%  mercury,  broken  in  the  open-cut.  There  is 
no  reduction  equipment. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  314 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  99 ; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1911,  p.  172. 

Cinnabar  King  Group.  Cinnabar  IMining  Company,  owner ;  Eli  Bush, 
treasurer.  Ilealdsburg.  This  group  of  5  patented  claims  in  Sec.  11, 
T.  10  N..  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  has  been  idle  for  several  years  past.  The 
occurrence  of  ozocerite  has  been  noted  in  this  mine,  associated  with 
quicksilver. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XI,  p.  161;  XII,  p.  371; 
XIII,  p.  602 ;  XIV,  p.  314 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  98 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien. 
period,  1913-1914,  p.  172.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.  1910,  Pt.  I,  p. 
701. 

Cloverdale  Mine.  Western  Mercury  Company,  owner;  Andrew 
Rocca.  Jr.,  president  and  superintendent,  Cloverdale.  This  group 
consists  of  the  Cloverdale,  patented,  with  5  other  claims  and  a  millsite. 
The  mine  has  had  a  somewhat  intermittent  history,  having  first  been 
opened  up  in  1872,  and  the  furnace  built  in  1875.  It  has  been  oper- 
ated by  the  present  company  since  1915,  control  of  which  has  recently 
passed  to  the  above-named  official  and  associates.  The  total  recorded 
production  of  quicksilver  by  this  property  to  the  end  of  1917  has  been 
6738  fla.sks.  The  mine  is  in  Sec.  4,  T.  11  X.,  R.  9  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  12 
miles  east  from  Cloverdale,  on  the  ridge  between  Big  Sulphur  and 
Squaw  creeks,  at  their  junction,  the  mine  workings  and  reduction  plant 
being  on  the  slope  toward  the  former.  The  topography  is  very  steep 
(see  Photo  No.  37),  the  elevation  being  1000'  at  the  furnace  and  2200' 
(bar.)  at. the  top  of  the  ridge. 

The  orebody  is  characterized  by  ledges  of  thinly  .stratified  chert, 
enclosed  by  sandstone.  These  ledges  have  generally  a  northwest  strike 
and  northeast  dip.     The  chert  strata  vary  from  V'  to  3"  in  thickness. 


]84 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


The  cinnabar  forms  as  'face  luetar  and  incrustations  in  the  fissures 
of  the  more  compact  chert  beds,  and  as  richer  seams  and  bunches  in  the 
crushed  portions.  The  chert  is  highly  siliceous.  The  deposit  has  been 
opened  up  at  several  levels  by  botli  open-cuts  and  adits.  It  is  stated 
that  at  present  sufficient  ore  is  blocked  out  to  operate  the  20-ton  furnace 
for  several  years.  As  a  whole  the  underground  workings  are  not  very 
extensive,  the  major  portion  of  the  output  having  come  from  the  open- 


Photo.   No.   37.     Cloverdale    Mine,    Sonoma    County,   showing   gravity   tram   to 
furnace  ore-bins.      Photo  by  Emile  Huguenin. 

cuts.  With  topography  decidedly  in  their  favor,  the  ore  is  handled  a 
surprisingly  unnecessary  number  of  times  between  the  mine  and  the 
furnace. 

The  latter  is  a  modified  Livermore  furnace,  of  20  tons  capacity, 
which  is  essentially  a  tile  furnace  with  inclined  reverberatory  hearth.' 
The   products   of   fuel   combustion   pass   directly   over  the   ore   layer. 


•See  pp.  226,  229,  230,  ijost ;  al.so   Plioto  No.  47. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  185 

Crude  oil  is  now  used  for  fuel  instead  of  wood,  as  formerly,  the  oil 
beinj;  fed  by  4  Ray  electric  burners.  (See  Photo  No.  48,  post.)  The 
condensers  are  in  part  Knox  &  Osborne  iron  chambers,  to  which  were 
added  in  1917,  three  redwood,  rectangular  boxes,  approximately 
5'x8'xl5',  each  having-  3  compartments.  An  experimental  concentra- 
tion plant  set  up  on  the  Squaw  Creek  side  was  in  operation  for  a  short 
time  earlj'  in  1916.  Some  success  is  said  to  have  attended  their  experi- 
ments, but  for  certain  financial  reasons  a  larger  plant  was  not  built. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X,  p.  675;  XIV,  p.  344, 
Bull.  27.  pp.  98-102,  215 ;  Chapter  rep.  Men.  period,  1913-1914, 
p.  172.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  An.  Rep.  XXI,  Pt.  VI,  p.  278;  Min.  Res. 
1902,  p.  253;  1907,  Pt.  I,  p.  554;  1910,  Pt.  I,  p.  701;  1911,  Pt. 
I,  p.  904;  1912,  Pt.  I,  p.  944;  1915,  Pt.  I,  p.  271.  Min.  Res.  W 
OF  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  pp.  14,  177 ;  1876,  p.  20. 

Culver-Baer  Mine.  Culver-Baer  IMining  Company,  owners;  C.  E. 
Humbert,  president;  J.  P.  Menihan,  secretary;  home  office,  Cloverdale. 
The  holdings  of  this  company  now  include,  besides  the  Culver-Baer 
group,  proper,  the  Black  Bear,  Clyde,  Kentucky  and  Missouri.  There 
are  9  patented  claims:  Clyde,  Culver-Baer  #1  and  #2.  Sunnyside, 
Brush,  Republic,  Safe  Deposit,  Acomax  and  Hatteras  (the  last  2  being 
formerly  the  Missouri)  ;  but  the  Black  Bear  and  3  others  are  unpat- 
ented. Besides  169  acres  of  patented  ground,  there  are  2000  acres  of 
grazing  and  timber  lands  in  connection.  These  claims  are  at  the  head 
of  Devil's  Den.  a  branch  of  Little  Sulphur  Creek,  in  Sec.  23,  T.  11  N., 
R.  9  W.,  20  miles  south  of  east  from  Cloverdale.  The  Culver-Baer 
group  proper  includes  the  old  Geyser  and  Oakland  mines,  of  earlj; 
days,  which  were  producers  for  several  years  previous  to  1880.  In 
1875  the  Oakland  mine  was  producing  100  flasks  per  month  with  six 
retorts.  The  property  is  credited  with  a  total  production  to  the  end  of 
1917  of  8922  flasks. 

The  topography  is  rugged;  elevation  2200  feet  (bar.)  at  the  stable. 
The  ledge  is  characterized  by  a  bold  outcrop  of  silicified  sandstone  with 
abundant  yellow  ochre,  and  is  traceable  on  the  surface  for  a  mile  in 
length.  The  vein-filling  is  mostly  quartz  with  some  lime  and  chalce- 
dony. The  ore  carries  cinnabar,  meta-einnabarite  and  some  native 
mercury."  The  ledge  averages  100  feet  in  width  but  only  35  feet  on 
the  footwall  is  stoped.  It  strikes  northwest,  dips  northeast  on  an 
average  of  60°  and  has  been  drifted  on,  all  told,  for  a  length  of  1200 
feet.     The  hanging-wall  is  serpentine. 

The  three  main  levels  are  the  upper  tunnel  of  700  feet  in  length,  the 
lower  tunnel  in  2000  feet,  and  300  feet  below,  and  an  intermediate  level 
which  does  not  come  to  the  surface.     These  two  tunnels  are  connected 


186  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

by  a  raise  from  the  1200'  point  in  the  lower  one.  In  191-1-1915  a  new 
raise  was  driven  starting  at  1960'  in  the  lower  tunnel.  More  recently 
a  crosscut  started  at  550'  in  the  lowest  level,  had  been  driven  130' 
north  up  to  September,  1917,  and  was  then  opening  up  a  body  of 
furnace-grade  ore.  One  stope  from  the  No.  1  raise  is  25'  wide  by  90' 
long  and  has  400'  of  backs. 

The  equipment  includes  an  air  compressor  driven  by  a  32  h.  p.  Fair- 
banks-Morse gasoline  engine;  also  Cleveland  stopers  and  an  8"xl0" 
jaw  crusher.  There  is  a  16-ton  Knox-O.sborne  coarse-ore  furnace,  a 
24-ton,  Scott  fine-ore  furnace  and  a  retort.  A  small  steam  engine 
drives  the  furnace  blower.  Bricks  for  furnace  work  were  burned  from 
clay  near  the  mine.  The  cost  of  wood  cutting  has  increased  to  $2.50 
per  cord,  from  $1.50  formerly  paid. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Reports  IV,  p.  336  (table);  V, 
p.  96;  XI,  p.  461;  XII,  p.  371;  XIII.  pp.  602,  603;  XIV,  p. 
345-346;  Chapter  rep.  Men.  period,  1913-1914,  pp.  173-174; 
Bull.  27,  pp.  102-105,  113,  215.  U.  S.  G.  S.  Mon.  XIII,  p.  377; 
Min.  Res.  1902,  p.  253;  1907,  Pt.  I,  p.  680;  1908,  Pt.  I,  p.  690; 
1909,  Pt.  I,  p.  554;  1910,  Pt.  I,  p.  701;  1911,  Pt.  I,  p.  904;  1912, 
Pt.  I,  p.  944;  1915,  Pt.  I,  p.  371.  Mm.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts., 
1875,  pp.  14,  175,  177,  493.  Trans.  A.  I.  I\I.  E.,  vol.  Ill,  pp. 
276,  304. 

Double  Star  Prospect.  It  is  near  Pine  Flat.  Abandoned.  No  ore 
Avas  found  after  considerable  development. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  346 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien  period,  1913-1914,  p.  174;  Bull.  27,  p.  105. 

Esperanza  Mine  (formerly  Bright  Hope).  Dr.  Geo.  T.  Pomeroy, 
president,  Delger  Block,  Oakland.  This  prospect  is  on  an  80-acre 
piece  of  land  held  under  an  agricultural  patent.  It  is  on  the  Geysers 
road  15  miles  east  of  Cloverdale,  and  2  miles  above  the  Cloverdale  mine 
on  the  opposite  side  of  Big  Sulphur  Creek;  elevation  1475  feet  (bar.). 
There  are  two  crosscut  tunnels  on  the  stage-road  level,  one  in  180'  and 
the  other  450'.  The  latter  attains  a  depth  of  100'  below  the  surface, 
and  has  drifts  of  75'  west  and  60'  east,  also  a  50'  winze.  The  main 
adit,  #2  level,  is  below  the  road,  and  when  visited  by  the  writer  in 
September,  1917,  had  been  driven  350'  and  was  just  breaking  into  the 
contact,  showing  cinnabar  apparently  without  native  quicksilver.  The 
country  rocks  are  sandstone  and  serpentine.  The  ore  occurs 
partly  in  a  contact  ledge  and  partly  a.s  an  impregnation  in 
the  sandstone.  Both  cinnabar  and  native  quicksilver  are  present  in 
the  upper  levels  at  least,  with  quartz  as  the  principal  gangue  mineral, 
mixed  witli  some  serpentine.     No  ore  has  been  taken  out  as  yet  except 


QUICKSIIAIOK    RESOURCES.  187 

that  in  the  course  of  development.     The  native  metal  seems  to  occur 
principally  in  brecciated  areas  in  the  contact  zone. 

In  1916,  a  Livingston,  continuous-feed-retort  furnace  was  built  and 
a  small  amount  of  ore  ¥un  through  it,  but  it  was  not  successful.  This 
furnace  is  described  elsewhere  herein/  under  the  section  of  Metallurgy. 
Late  in  1917,  a  few  flasks  of  quicksilver  were  produced  with  a  small 
retort. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  343 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  171. 

Eureka  Mine  (originally  Flagstaff).  Eureka  Quicksilver  Mining 
Company,  owner;  James  B.  Barber,  president,  jj:1421  High  St.,  Oak- 
land ;  W.  B.  Hodges,  secretary.  This  group  of  4  claims  and  3  mill-sites, 
part  of  which  is  patented,  is  in  the  Pine  Flat  district,  in  Sec.  22,  T.  11 
N..  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  about  20  miles  by  road  northeast  from  Healds- 
burg  and  the  same  distance  northwest  from  Calistoga.  It  is  northwest 
of  and  adjoints  the  Socrates.  Outside  of  a  small  amount  of  prospect- 
ing work  done  as  assessments  to  hold  the  unpatented  claims,  the  prop- 
erty has  been  mostly  idle  for  some  years.  In  1916-1917,  it  is  stated 
some  further  prospecting  was  done,  but  only  low-grade  ore  found.  A 
few  flasks  of  quicksilver  were  produced  in  1904,  and  a  few  also  in  1916 
with  a  retort. 

The  orebody  is  on  the  contact  between  a  serpentine  hanging-wall  and 
sandstone  footwall,  being  in  part  altered  and  gouge  material  from 
both.  Values  occur  as  cinnabar,  meta-cinnabarite  and  native  mercury, 
about  50%  being  native.  There  is  one  tunnel  in  about  1000',  giving 
300'  backs,  and  several  other  shorter  ones  above.  The  lowest  tunnel 
has  drifts  of  250'  and  100',  respectively.  Another  adit  has  been  started 
at  a  still  lower  level.  There  is  a  10-ton,  modified  Livermore-Fitzgerald 
furnace,  a  gasoline  engine,  and  a  small  compressor  included  in  the 
equipment. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  346 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  176;  Bull.  27,  pp.  106-108.  U.  S. 
G.  S.,  T^Ion.  XIII,  p.  376.  Min.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1875, 
pp.  14.  176. 

Great  Eastern  Mine.  Great  Eastern  Quicksilver  Mining  Company, 
owner;  George  Roeth,  president,  450  ]\Iountain  Ave.,  Oakland.  This 
mine  is  in  Sec.  16,  T.  8  N.,  R.  10  W.,  :\I.  D.  M.,  4  miles  northeast  of 
Guerneville  by  a  good  road;  elevation  360  feet  (bar.).  Production  of 
quicksilver  began  here  with  an  output  of  412  flasks  in  1875 ;  and  the 
mine  is  credited  with  a  total  output  to  date  of  42,092  flasks,  or  nearly' 
two-thirds  of  the  total  output  of  Sonoma  County  to  the  end  of  1917. 


>See  p.   217,  post. 


188 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


This  includes  the  yield  of  the  Mt.  Jackson  mine  adjoining,  as  the  two 
were  operated  in  conjunction  for  a  number  of  years,  and  their  individ- 
ual figures  are  not  separable.  As  noted  in  a  foregoing  paragraph, 
from  1882  to  1894,  tlie  Great  Eastern  mine  was  the  only  quicksilver 
producer  in  Sonoma  County. 

This  Great  Eastern-Mt.  Jackson  lode  is  peculiar  because  of  its  isola- 
tion from  other  workable  quicksilver  deposits  and  from  any  known 
eruptives.  It  resembles  somewhat  the  Culver-Baer  ledge  with  its  bold, 
ochreous  outcrop  between  a  serpentine  hanging-wall  and  sandstone 
footwall.  (Seen  at  left  of  Photo  No.  38.)  The  strike  is  north  of  west 
and  dips  north  at  50''  to  60^,  being  steeper  at  the  surface.     The  Great 


Photo   No.   38.     Great    Eastern    Mine,    near    Guerneville,    Sonoma    County.      Ledge    outcrop    at 
left;   furnaces  in  center;   furnace  dump  at  right. 

Eastern  vertical  shaft  sunk  in  the  sandstone  footwall  is  down  550', 
with  two  winzes  of  160'  each  sunk  from  the  500'  level.  There  is  also 
a  400'  drift  on  the  500'  level.  The  collar  of  the  shaft  is  about  200' 
below  the  upper  outcrop,  and  at  that  level  there  is  a  tunnel  in  1100', 
with  connecting  drifts  and  stopes  in  the  ledge  above.  From  the  shaft 
there  are  levels  at  150',  220'.  360'  and  500',  respectively. 

The  ore  shoot  is  enclosed  within  the  ledge  of  opalized  rock  which  was 
originally  probably  mostly  serpentine.  Becker^  considers  that  this 
silicification  ''preceded  the  deposition  of  ore,  though  somewhat  closely 
connected  with  it."  Occasionally  a  little  pyrite  accompanies  the  cin- 
nabar. The  ledge  filling  is  characterized  by  numerous  cross-fi.ssures, 
at  a  flat  angle,  filled  with  quartz  stringers,  like  the  'ladder  veins' 
described  by  Lindgren.-  The  ore  forms  principally  in  relatively  softer 
zones  in  this  material.     Accompanying  the  ore,  frequently  in  stringers 


'Becker,  G.  F.,  r.colon.v  nf  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  U.  S.  Geol. 
Surv..  Mon.  XIII.  p.  :;G4,   ISSS. 

'Lindgren,  Waldemar,  Mineral  Deposits:  pp.  133,  146,  1913. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  189 

parallel  to  the  above-mentioned  quartz  partings,  is  a  brittle  black 
bitumen,  which  may  possibly  be  grahamite,  as  its  properties  correspond 
in  part  at  least  to  that  bitumen.  It  is  partly  soluble  (even  in  frag- 
ments not  powdered)  in  ether;  completely  soluble  in  chloroform;  dis- 
tinctly soluble  in  California  kerosene;  apparently  insoluble  in  Penn- 
sylvania petrolic  ether  of  88°  Baume;  and  is  broken  up  by,  but  only 
slightly  soluble  in  carbon  tetrachloride.  It  deflagrates,  and  only  partly 
melts  in  a  candle  flame.  This  bitumen  is  usually  associated  with  good 
ore  values. 

For  several  years  previous  to  1905  (in  which  year  it  expired),  the 
Great  Eastern  Company  had  a  lease  on  the  Mt.  Jackson  ground  adjoin- 
ing and  worked  it  through  the  Great  Eastern  levels.  The  earthquake 
of  April  18,  1906,  shook  from  the  outcrop  cliff  near-by  a  large  rock 
which  rolled  into  the  shaft,  killing  three  men  coming  up  in  the  cage. 
It  also  partially  wrecked  the  shaft.  The  damage  to  the  shaft  has  been 
repaired,  but  the  lower  levels  have  not  been  operated  since,  being  at 
present  filled  with  water.  Ore  reduction  was  resumed  in  May,  1915. 
Only  the  upper  portions  of  the  mine,  above  the  hoist  level,  are  being 
worked.  The  ore  is  broken  in  stopes  and  open-cuts  and  dropped 
through  chutes  to  the  main  adit  level.  There  is  an  abundant  water 
supply  from  several  springs  on  the  property.  The  hoist  was  operated 
by  a  w^ood-burning  steam  plant.  The  crusher  plant  adjoins  the  hoist 
and  a  gravity  tram  conveys  the  ore  to  the  furnaces.  After  screening 
through  the  grizzly,  the  wet  fine  ore  is  hauled  in  wheelbarrows  and 
spread  out  on  a  level  'patio'  in  the  sun  to  dry.  After  drying,  it  is 
returned  to  the  ore-bins  by  the  same  route.  There  is  too  much  handling 
of  the  ore  by  manual  labor  before  it  gets  to  the  furnace. 

When  visited  by  the  writer  in  September,  1917,  the  old  Knox  & 
Osborne  11-ton  coarse-ore  furnace  was  being  partly  torn  down  to  be 
rebuilt  as  a  Scott  fine-ore  furnace  of  about  80  tons  capacity.  Their 
#1  Scott  fine-ore  furnace  has  a  capacity  of  18  tons.  There  are  two  'D' 
retorts,  18"  and  24"  respectively;  but  they  are  not  much  used  now,  as 
there  is  very  little  soot  to  handle  since  the  use  of  oil  fuel  instead  of 
wood,  and  the  construction  of  the  new  concrete  condensers.  The  18- 
ton  furnace  was  using  100  gal.  of  23°  B.  fuel  oil  per  24  hours  at  a  cost 
of  slightly  over  3^  per  gallon.  A  Hauck  crude-oil  burner  is  used,  with 
compressed  air  for  atomizing.  On  the  retort,  a  'Rotary  Oil  Burner' 
is  used,  driven  by  a  small  water-wheel.  With  this,  it  requires  30  hours 
to  heat  up  the  retort,  after  which  the  consumption  of  oil  is  100  gal. 
per  48  hours. 

Condensers  on  No.  1  Scott  furnace :  No.  1  is  a  2-chamber,  brick  con- 
denser. 10' X 12' X  22';  No.  2  is  a  2-ehamber,  concrete  unit, 
16'  X  10'  X  22' ;  No.  3  is  a  4-cliamber,  concrete  unit,  16'  x  8'  x  22'. 
These  concrete  condensers  cost  about  $600  apiece.     They  are  built  with 


190  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU 

a  6"  wall,  i-einforeed  with  wire  and  painted  on  the  inside  with  'neat 
cement'  to  fill  the  pores.  In  the  cleaning-iip,  these  walls  are  simply 
hosed  down  with  a  stream  of  water.  The  old  brick  condensers  which 
these  replaced,  yielded  8  flasks  of  quicksilver.  They  were  set  in  cement 
mortar. 

In  September,  1917,  the  ordinary  qnicksilver  flasks  were  costing  $2 
apiece.  Roeth  had  had  some  cast  of  stove-iron,  to.  his  own  pattern,  at 
a  foundry  in  Oakland  at  a  cost  of  approximately  75^  apiece,  weight 
18  pounds.  At  that  time,  some  of  these  had  made  three  trips  to  San 
Francisco  without  damage. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  IV,  p.  336  (table)  ;  V,  p 
95 ;  VIII,  p.  633 ;  XI,  p.  460 ;  XII,  371 ;  XIII,  p.  602 ;  XIV,  p 
347 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period.  1913-1914,  p.  175 ;  Bull.  27,  pp 
108-112,  226,  239,  246.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  pp.  362-364 
An.  Rep.  XX,  Pt.  VI,  p.  271 ;  Min.  Res.  1883,  pp.  394,  396,  397 
1902,  pp.  251,  253 ;  1907,  Pt.  I,  p.  680 ;  1908,  Pt.  I,  p.  690 ;  1915 
Pt.  I,  p.  271.  MiN.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  14;  1876, 
p.  20.     Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  89,  p.  391. 

Great  Northern  Group.  In  Sec.  2,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  near 
Pine  Flat.     Abandoned. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  348;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period.  1913-1914,  p.  176;  Bull.  27,  p.  112. 

Hurley  Prospect.  In  Sees  4  and  5,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M,  D.  M.,  near 
the  Sonoma  mine.    Abandoned. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  348;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period.  1913-1914,  p.  176 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  112. 

Lookout  Group.  In  Sec.  32,  T.  11  N.,  R.  8  AV.,  M.  D.  M.,  near  ihe 
Eureka  group.     Abandoned. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  348;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  176;  Bull.  27,  p.  113. 

Lucky  Stone  Group.  In  Sec  4,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  near 
Pine  Flat.     Abandoned. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  348;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  176;  Bull.  27,  p.  113. 

Maricoma  Prospect  (Santa  Rita).  In  Sec.  36,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M. 
D.  ]VI.,  near  Pino  Fiat.     Abandoned. 

Mt.  Jackson  Mine.  Mi.  Jackson  Quicksilver  Mining  Company, 
owner;  0.  T.  Ilassett,  president,  Geyserville,  R.  F.  D.  This  mine 
adjoins  the  Great  Eastern  mine  near  Guerneville  on  the  northwest,  but 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  191 

has  no  plant  of  its  own,  having  been  Avorked  through  the  Great  Eastern 
levels  for  a  number  of  years  by  the  Great  Eastern  company  under 
lease.  The  I\It.  Jackson  mine  has  been  idle  since  1905,  but  recent  press 
reports  (March,  1918)  state  that  an  option  has  been  given  to  J.  H. 
Kendall.  64  Regent  St.,  Oakland,  who  is  reopening  one  of  the  upper 
tunnels. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Mix.  Bqr.,  Reports  VIII,  p.  633;  XII,  p.  371; 
XIII,  p.  602;  XIY,  p.  349;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913- 
1914,  p.  177;  Bull.  27,  pp.  108-112. 

Napa  Prospect.    In  Sec.  11,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  near  Pine 
Flat.    Abandoned. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]\Iix.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  349 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  177 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  113. 


¥ 


New  Sonoma  Mine  (formerly  Sonoma  Consolidated  Group,  includ- 
ing Crown  Point  and  Hope).  T.  Gale  Perkins  et  al.,  owners.  Pine 
Flat  postoffice,  or  #1822  Pacific  St.,  San  Francisco.  This  group  of  7 
claims  is  in  Sees.  4  and  5,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  in  the  Pine  Flat 
district,  about  16  miles  northeast  of  Healdsburg.  About  1910,  this 
property  was  bought  by  the  Culver-Baer  company,  particularly  for  its 
surface  equipment  including  a  Scott  furnace,  which  was  transferred 
to  the  Culver-Baer  mine  5  miles  to  the  northwest.  Under  the  impres- 
sion that  the  claims  were  patented  the  Culver-Baer  company  did  no 
work  on  the  mine  for  several  years,  following  which  the  ground  was 
'  relocated  by  the  present  owners,  as  they  found  it  to  be  unpatented. 
The  last  previous  operations  were  by  the  Crown  Point  company.  Pro- 
duction began  with  an  output  of  50  flasks  of  quicksilver  in  1873.  The 
early  production  was  from  rich  surface  pockets.  There  is  an  adjacent 
serpentine  belt,  striking  N.  48°  W. 

Perkins  states  that  he  has  found  the  orebody  at  5  separate  levels  and 
points  in  a  zone  striking  southeast,  but  swinging  around  to  the  south 
and  dipping  easterly.  He  has  driven  9  crosscut  adits  up  to  110'  in 
length,  until  each  one  cut  the  orebody,  to  prove  its  continuity.  He 
now  proposes  to  drive  a  lower  adit  of  1100'  in  length.  There  is  con- 
siderable native  quicksilver  with  the  cinnabar,  particularly  in  the  ore 
near  the  surface.  It  is  proposed  to  concentrate  the  soft,  surface  ma- 
terial. Some  ore  taken  out  in  the  course  of  development  was  retorted 
in  1917.  The  reduction  equipment  is  a  'D'  retort  of  1000  lb.  capacity, 
being  12"  high  x  32''  Avide  x  9'  2"  long.  A  water  spray  is  used  in  the 
conden.ser-pipe,  similar  to  that  at  the  Oat  Hill  mine  described  else- 


192  CALIFORNIA   STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

where  herein  -^  but  Perkins  states  that  he  obviates  loss  of  floured  quick- 
silver floating  away,  by  syphoning  the  flow  to  successive  settlers. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XIII,  p.  503;  XIV,  p.  350; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  178;  Bull.  27,  pp.  102. 
112.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  377;  Min.  Res.  1902,  p.  253. 
Min.  Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1874,  p.  30 ;  1875,  p.  14.  Trans. 
A.  I.  M.  E.,  vol.  Ill,  p.  290. 

Occidental  and  Healdsburg  Group.  In  Sec.  10,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M. 
D.  M.,  near  Pine  Flat.    Abandoned. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ]Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  349 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  177 ;  Bull.  27,  p.  114. 

Old  Chapman  Prospect.  In  Sees.  25  and  30,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M.  D. 
M.,  at  the  mouth  of  Sausal  Creek  caiion,  on  Deer  Creek.  On  the  south 
side  of  Deer  Creek  a  line  of  croppings,  course  about  N.  15°  W.,  runs 
down  the  slope  toward  the  creek,  but  the  underground  workings  have 
not  disclosed  any  continuation  of  ore  in  depth.     Abandoned. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  349 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914;  Bull.  27,  p.  114. 

Pacific  Group  (Crystal  or  Red  Cloud;  also  known  locally  as  the 
Abbey).  Wm.  Jacobs,  owner.  Pine  Flat.  This  group  consists  of  pat- 
ented claims  in  Sees.  5  and  6,  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  near  the 
New  Sonoma  group  in  the  Pine  Flat  section.  Only  a  small  amount  of 
prospecting  work  has  been  done  for  several  years  past.  There  is  no 
reduction  equipment. 

Bibl:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  XIII,  p.  603;  XIV,  p.  349; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period.  1913-1914,  p.  177;  Bull.  27.  p.  114. 
U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res.,  1902,  p.  253. 

Rattlesnake  Mine.  G.  W.  AVheeler  and  Frank  G.  Kiessig,  owners, 
Pine  Flat ;  R.  A.  Sallee,  l&ssee.  Pine  Flat.  This  group  of  3  claims  and 
2  mill-sites  is  in  See.  31,  T.  11  N.,  R.  8  W.,  U.  D.  M.,  on  the  road 
between  the  Culver-Baer  mine  and  Pine  Flat.  This  mine  is  credited 
with  a  production  of  65  flasks  in  1875,  entirely  from  native  quicksilver, 
with  which  was  associated  an  oily  bitumen.  Not  only  was  the  metal 
entirely  in  the  native  state,  but  it  is  claimed  that  there  was  considerable 
mercurial  vapor  in  llic  underground  workings.  The  mine  was  idle  and 
inaccessible  for  many  years,  until  reopened  liy  the  present  owners  in 
1916.  A  few  flasks  of  quicksilver  have  since  been  recovered  by  wasli- 
ing  and  retoi-ting.     When   visited  by  the  writer  in   September,   1917. 

'See  p.  211  ' 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  193 

the  lessee  was  trying  a  revolving'  screen  and  sluice  boxes  for  washing 
the  material. 

Judging  from  the  surface,  the  country  i-ock  consists  of  altered  sedi- 
mentaries,  with  occasional  small  occurrences  of  serpentine.  The  native 
metal  occurs  in  a  black,  brecciated  mass  and  gouge.  No  definite  walls 
have  been  found.  There  are  two  adits,  each  in  about  200',  the  upper 
one  being  at  the  road  level,  and  the  other  60'  below,  near  the  portal  of 
which  tlie  retort  is  located.  The  furnace  consists  of  3  pipes  of  300  lb. 
capacity,  each.  Like  the  Socrates  mine,  the  difficulty  here  is  to  handle 
the  native  metal  economically.  If  the  underground  situation  can  be 
handled  successfully  and  safel}^,  it  would  seem  that  the  ore-dressing 
end  might  be  solved  by  concentrating  tables  or  b}'  hj^draulic  settlers. 
The  ore  is  rather  wet  and  requires  drying  if  it  is  to  be  furnaced.  If 
collected  direct  by  concentration,  however,  the  native  metal  would  not 
need  to  be  put  through  a  furnace.  Only  such  cinnabar  as  would  appear 
in  the  concentrates  would  need  to  be  roasted. 

Bilil. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Eeports  IV.  p.  336   (table)  ;  XIII, 

p.  603;  XIV,  p.  .349;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p. 

177;  Bull.  27,  p.  115.     U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  377.     Min. 

tKES.  W.  OF  Rocky  Mts.,  1874,  p.  37 ;  1875,  pp.  14,  176.     Trans. 
A.  I.  M.  E.,  vol.  Ill,  p.  273. 

Socrates  Mine  (originally  Pioneer;  includes  Pontiac  Group;  also 
Mercury  Group).     Socrates  Consolidated  Mining  Company,  owner; 

.  iWm.  H.  Jordan,  attorney,  ]\Ionadnock  Building,  San  Francisco ;  U.  S. 

■  Mines  Development  Corporation,  lessee ;  Paul  Messchaert,  pi-esident ; 
B.  G.  Holt,  secretary;  office,  514  Sheldon  Bldg.,  San  Francisco.  This 
group  is  at  the  junction  of  Sees.  32  and  33,  T.  11  N.,  R.  8  W.,  and  Sees. 
4  and  5.  T.  10  N.,  R.  8  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  in  the  Pine  Flat  district,  on  the 
divide  between  Big  Sulphur  and  Little  Sulphur  creeks,  6  miles  south- 
east from  The  Geysers.  Elevation  3,000'  at  mine ;  2500'  at  furnace. 
The  Pioneer  claim  of  this  group  was  the  first  quicksilver  claim  located 
in  Sonoma  County.  The  Socrates,  proper,  is  patented,  besides  which 
there  are  53  other  claims  mostly  unpatented.  In  1904,  the  adjacent 
property  of  the  Mercury  Mining  Company  was  taken  over  by  the 
Socrates  Company.  It  is  about  equidistant,  20  miles,  from  Healdsburg 
and  from  ^Middletown,  being  on  the  road  between  the  two  which  passes 
through  Pine  Flat.  Owing  to  the  difficulty  of  handling  the  native 
metal  which  makes  up  the  major  portion  of  the  values  here,  the  mine 
was  idle  for  many  years.  The  occurrence  of  tiemannite,  the  selenide 
of  mercury,  has  also  been  noted  in  the  Socrates  mine.  The  recorded 
production  for  the  years  1900-1917,  inclusive,  totals  approximately 
3,500  flasks  of  quicksilver;  there  being  no  segregated  figures  of  the 
early-day  output,  which  is  reported  to  have  been  about  1000  flasks. 

lS-35540 


394 


CALIFORNIA   STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


In  1903,  a  White-Howell  rotary  roaster  was  installed  and  operated 
for  several  months  on  the  Socrates  ore.  The  surface  plant  was 
destroyed  by  a  forest  fire  in  the  fall  of  1907.  During  1908-1910,  the 
Socrates  Development  Company,  operating  the  property  under  bond, 
made  a  fair  output  of  quicksilver,  employing  a  Huntington  mill  and  a 
Woodbury  concentrator.  The  concentrates  were  retorted.  The  pres- 
ent operators  reopened  the  mine  in  1916,  and  have  built  a  40-ton  Scott 
furnace.      (See  Photo  No.  39.)      They  have  cut  down  the  length  of  the 


Photo   No.   39.      Socrates    Mine    surface    plant,     Sonoma    County.     The    mine    is    on    the    ridge 

at    the    left. 

White-Howell  kiln  and  reinstalled  it  as  an  ore-drier  above  the  Scott 

furnace.^ 

The  country  rocks  are  sandstone  and  serpentine.  The  ore  occurs  in 
a  ledge  of  soft  opaline  rocks,  considerably  fractured,  but  in  the  upper 
levels  it  is  also  in  sandstone.  The  strike  is  about  N.  20°  W.  In  the 
upper  levels,  the  footwall  consists  of  sandstone  and  shales  slightly 
swelling,  and  there  is  a  heavy  hanging  wall  of  black  gouge.  A  'horse' 
of  black  serpentine  runs  through  the  middle  of  the  ledge  matter.  In 
the  lowest  level,  the  dip  appears  to  have  reversed,  so  that  the  black 
gouge  is  on  the  footwall,  and  the  hanging-wall  is  a  hard  serpentine. 
There  the  dip  is  nearly  vertical.     In  llu'  upper  levels,  the  quicksilver 


■See  Photo  No.   51.   post. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  195 

was  nearly  all  iu  the  native  form ;  but  in  the  lowest  level  when  visited 
by  the  writer,  a  considerable  proportion  of  cinnabar  was  showing  in 
the  ore.  The  values  occur  both  disseminated  and  in  veinlets.  Some 
pyrite  or  marcasite  and  calcite  are  associated.  Chlorite,  an  end  pro- 
duct of  the  alteration  of  serpentine,  is  also  abundantly  present.  The 
ore  shoots  are  from  18"  to  5'  in  width,  in  an  ore  zone  of  60'  maximum 
width  and  30'  average. 

There  are  3  main  adits  (#1,  #2,  and  #3)  and  2  others,  (P|  and  #4) 
and  the  vein  has  been  opened  up  for  a  length  of  750'.  A  depth  of  400' 
below  the  top  of  the  hill  has  been  reached.  Many  of  the  old  workings 
are  inaccessible.  Square-set  timbering  is  used.  There  is  a  fair  local 
supply  of  oak,  pine  and  'fir.'  A  single-rope  aerial  tram,  1875'  long, 
steam-driven,  transports  the  ore  to  the  furnace  bins.     Equipment  also 

1  includes  a  compressor,  Water-Leyner  jack-hammer  drills,  and  an  air- 

(  driven  hoist. 

Keduction  equipment  includes  the  rotary  ore-drier  and  the  40-ton 
•Scott  above  mentioned,  also  2-18"  'D'  retorts.  When  visited  by  the 
writer  in  September,  1917,  the  surface  plant  was  being  rearranged  and 
development  work  carried  forward  underground.  A  small  amount  of 
I-  sorted  ore  wa^  being  put  through  one  retort.  They  had  added  16'  onto 
the  top  of  the  dust-chamber  of  the  Scott  furnace,  and  were  covering 
it  with  a  sheet-iron  top  to  be  used  as  a  final  drier  before  the  ore  is 
charged  to  the  furnace.  From  the  tramway  bin,  the  ore  was  to  pass 
through  the  rotary  drier  to  another  bin,  thence  by  a  belt  conveyor  to 
the  slueet-iron  drier.  In  February,  1918,  a  total  of  70  men  were 
employed,  32  of  whom  were  in  the  mine.  At  the  present  writing 
(April,  1918),  we  are  informed  that  operations  are  shut  down. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Mm.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  350 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  178;  Bull.  27,  pp.  115-116.  U.  S. 
G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  376 ;  Min.  Res.  1902,  p.  253 ;  1906,  pp.  493, 
497;  1907,  Pt.  I.  p.  680;  1908;  Pt.  I,  p.  690;  1909,  Pt.  I,  p.  554; 
1910,  Pt.  I,  p.  701 ;  1915,  Pt.  I,  p.  271.  Geol.  Surv.  op  Cal., 
Geol,  Vol.  I,  pp.  88-91.  Min.  Res.  W.  op  Rocky  Mts.,  1875, 
pp.  14,  176,  177.  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  XC,  p.  22,  Jan  14 
1905. 

Squaw  and  Big  Chief  Claims.  L.  D.  Kissack  and  John  June,  Clover- 
dale,  owners.  These  claims  are  in  Sec.  4,  T.  11  N.,  R.  9  W.,  M.  D.  M., 
adjoining  the  Cloverdale  mine,  12  miles  east  from  Cloverdale ;  eleva- 
tion 2200  feet  (bar.).  The  ore  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Cloverdale.  A 
tunnel  and  a  short  incline  from  it  have  been  driven  in  about  60  feet, 


196  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

and  a  small  amount  of  hii^li  ii'rade  ore  sorted  from  the  material  taken 
out.     Assessment  work,  onlv,  is  maintained. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  ^NFin.  Bur.,  Repoi-t  XIV,  p.  3')!;  Chapter  rep. 
Men.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  179. 

Walker  Prospect.    On  patented  ground  in  Sec.  7,  T.  8  N.,  R.  10  W.,  j 
M.  D.  M.,  near  Guerneville,  owned  by  the  Meeker  Estate  of  Camp 
Meeker.     A   few  stringers   carrying  cinnabar   are   said  to  have  been  : 
found,  but  nothing  of  consequence  developed.  ' 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  351 ;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  179;  Bull.  27,  p.  116. 

Wall  Spring  Prospect.    H.  C.  Wall,  Hilton,  owner.    In  See.  30,  T.  8 
N.,  R.  9  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  near  Hilton.    Idle. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  351 :  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  179;  Bull.  27,  p.  117. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  197 

STANISLAUS  COUNTY. 

There  is  aii  extensive  area  of  Franciscan  rocks  following  along  the 
trend  of  the  Diablo  Range,  from  the  canon  of  Corral  Hollow  Creek  at 
Tesla,  sontheasterly  for  at  least  75  miles.  The  Stayton  quicksilver  dis- 
trict at  the  junction  of  ]\Ierced,  San  Benito  and  Santa  Clara  counties 
is  at  the  southern  end  of  this  belt.  Within  this  belt  in  western  Stanis- 
laus County,  and  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  range,  are  several  quick- 
silver prospects,  from  some  of  which  metal  has  been  produced.  These 
are  east  of  and  near  the  Red  Mountain  magnesite  district.  There  are 
four  groups  on  the  upper  branches  of  Orestimba  Creek,  and  one  group 
on  Deer  Park  Creek  or  the  north  branch  of  Arroyo  del  Puerto.  The 
total  output  of  the  district  appears  to  have  been  slightly  in  excess  of 
200  flasks  of  quicksilver. 

Adobe  Valley  Mine  (formerly  Stanislaus).  E.  P.  Newhall,  owner, 
Box  354,  Livermore.  This  consists  of  320  acres  of  patented  laud  in 
Sees.  23  and  2-4,  T.  6  S.,  R.  5  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  east  of  the  Phoenix  mine, 
21  miles  from  Patterson.  The  Patterson  &  Western  Railroad,  recently 
built  up  the  Arroyo  del  Puerto,  passes  about  two  miles  from  this  prop- 
erty. This  prospect  was  opened  up  in  1884,  and  a  small  amount  of 
quicksilver  produced  up  to  1888,  since  which  time,  it  appears  to  have 
been  idle. 

The  country  rock  is  a  gray  sandstone.  The  ore  occurs  in  3  veins 
which  have  a  northerly  strike,  and  are  cut  by  a  2-compartment  vertical 
shaft  sunk  to  a  depth  of  180'.  The  upper  vein,  with  dip  of  45°  was 
opened  up  by  a  series  of  open-cuts,  short  tunnels,  and  an  incline  shaft 
70'  deep.  The  vertical  shaft  cut  the  first  vein  at  a  depth  of  40',  at 
which  level  a  drift  was  run  30'  N.,  then  a  crosscut  to  the  hanging-wall, 
showing  the  orebody  4'-5'  wide.  At  the  75'  level,  the  second  ( ?)  vein 
was  cut,  and  a  drift  run  100'  N.  This  may  be  a  spur  from  the  lower 
vein,  as  it  dips  at  a  very  flat  angle ;  and  is  irregular  in  shape  and  siz^. 

At  100'  depth,  the  third  orebod.y  was  cut,  showdng  cinnabar  in  a  fine- 
grained dark  sandstone,  with  associated  pyrite.  The  shaft  is  closed 
below  120'  in  depth.  It  is  stated  that  at  170'  a  crosscut  was  driven 
westerly,  which  cut  the  vein  at  70'  showing  a  width  of  15'.  This  lower 
orebody  shows  cinnabar  disseminated  in  the  sandstone,  as  well  as 
occurring  along  the  fracture  zones.  There  is  considerable  black  clay 
gouge  on  the  hanging-w^all. 

There  is  no  reduction  equipment  at  present  on  the  property. 

kBibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X,  p.  680;  XIV,  p.  632; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  206;  Bull.  27,  p.  ]89. 
Crocker-Winship  Prospect.  M.  I.  Crocker  and  K.  D.  Winship, 
owners,  San  Francisco.  There  are  some  quicksilver  prospects  on  Sec. 
31,  T.  5  S.,  R.  5  E..  M.  D.  M.,  on  which  it  is  stated  some  work  was  done 
about  1913,  under  a  lease,  by  the  Mt.  Boardman  Quicksilver  Company. 


198  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

Gigax  Claims.  A.  B.  Gigax,  of  Patterson,  is  reported  to  have 
recently  located  claims  on  a  quicksilver  prospect  on  Mt.  Boardman  in 
the  northwestern  corner  of  the  county,  near  the  Newhall  claims. 

Interaational  Mine,  In  Sec.  3,  T.  8  S.,  R.  6  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  on  the 
south  fork  of  Orestimba  Creek,  southeast  of  the  Phoenix  mine.  The 
prospect  was  worked  for  a  short  time,  prior  to  1880,  and  some  metal 
produced  with  a  small  furnace  and  retorts;  but  it  has  been  idle  since. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  X,  p.  680. 

Newhall  Mine  (formerly  Deer  Park).  E.  P.  NewhaU  Quicksilver 
Mining  Company,  owner;  E.  P.  Newhall,  president,  Box  354,  Liver- 
more;  Chester  M.  Beck,  secretary.  Mills  Building,  San  Francisco. 
This  group  of  7  claims  is  on  Deer  Park  Creek  in  See.  32,  T.  5 
S.,  R.  5  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  22  miles  from  Patterson  via  the  Arroyo  del 
Puerto.  There  are  several  croppings  which  show  cinnabar  in  sand- 
stone and  in  serpentine.  Some  development  work  has  been  done,  prin- 
cipally by  a  tunnel ;  but  no  metal  has  as  yet  been  produced,  and  there 
is  no  reduction  equipment.  Some  work  was  done  on  these  prospects  in 
1913  under  a  lease  by  a  company  known  as  the  Mt.  Boardman  Quick- 
silver Company,  who  are  stated  to  have  also  had  a  lease  on  adjoining 
land  in  Sec.  31  owned  by  K.  D.  Winship  and  M.  I.  Crocker  of  San 
Francisco. 

Bibl:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X,  p.  681;  XIV,  p.  632; 
Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  206. 

Phoenix  Mines  (includes  the  former  Summit,  Grayson,  and  Ores- 
timba mines;  also  referred  to  as  the  Hayward).  Alvinza  Hayward 
Estate  and  Mrs.  Emma  Rose,  New  York,  owners;  E.  S.  IMcCurdy,  man- 
ager, 576  Mills  Building,  San  Francisco.  The  Summit-Grayson  group 
is  in  Sees.  20,  21,  28,  and  29,  and  the  Orestimba  group  in  Sees.  25,  35, 
and  36,  all  in  T.  6  S.,  R.  5  E.,  M.  D.  M.,  39  miles  southeast  of  Liver- 
more  by  a  good  road.  It  is  also  24  miles  south  of  west  from  Patterson, 
but  the  road  is  poor.  Elevation  2150'  (bar.).  Oak  timber  is  avail- 
able, and  the  water  supply  is  from  springs. 

There  are  7  patented  claims,  4  millsites,  6  unpatented  claims  and  160 
acres  of  timber  land  in  the  Summit-Grayson  group ;  and  2300  acres  of 
patented  land  in  the  Orestimba  group.  This  property  was  first  worked 
in  the  70 's  by  a  Mr.  Waterford,  and  sold  to  Hayward  about  1901.  The 
furnace  was  built  in  1902-1903.  Tlie  mine  was  reopened  in  Septem- 
ber, 1915,  and  operated  during  the  higli  prices  prevailing  for  quick- 
silver during  that  winter,  closing  down  in  June,  1916,  becau.se  of  the 
decline  in  market  price  of  quicksilver,  the  low  grade  of  the  ore,  and 
the  need  of  a  larger  equipment  and  more  extensive  development  to 
handle  such  low-grade  ore.  The  total  production  to  date  lias  been 
nearly  200  fla.sks. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


199 


The  country  rocks  are  sandstone  and  serpentine.  The  cinnabar  is 
disseminated  with  infiltrated  silica  in  an  altered  weathered  sandstone; 
also  in  serpentine.  The  Summit-Grayson  group  is  opened  up  mainly 
by  3  crosscut  tunnels,  connected  by  raises  and  winzes,  which  show  3 
zones  of  mineralization ;  Summit  vein,  strike  N.  15°  E.,  dip  60°  SE. ;  a 
belt  of  sandstone,  with  northwesterly  strike,  crossing  the  Summit  vein ; 
the  Grayson  vein,  with  a  northwesterly  strike  and  northeasterly  dip. 


m04 

-   -  ■  ■       -  •'^'^iBMfc^J'ij'Jl^^^^B 

/^^^^^^^^^^^^^^■^^^^l 

Ivd:„......        II!!!r 

Photo  No.  40.     Fifty-ton   Scott  furnace  and  condensers  at  Phoenix   Mines,    Stanislaus 

County.      Photo   by    F.    L.    Lowell. 

The  gangue  contains  calcite.  The  principal  development  is  on  the 
Summit  vein,  which  has  an  average  width  of  10'.  The  grade  of  the  ore 
averages  0.25%-0.30%  mercury.  The  lowest  adit  is  the  main  haulage 
level.  No.  2  level  is  100'  below  No.  1,  and  #3  is  110'  below  No.  2.  Ore 
was  extracted  by  overhand  stopes.  Only  a  small  amount  of  work  has 
been  done  on  the  Orestimba  group,  where  the  country  rock  appears  to 
be  a  silicified  shale. 

When  last  operated  equipment  included  a  12"x7^"xl2"  Chicago 
Pneumatic  compresor  and  machine  drills,  and  haulage  was  by  mule- 
train  ;  but  the  movable  equipment  has  now  been  taken  away.  There  is 
a  50-ton  Scott  furnace  (see  Photo  No.  40). 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports  X,  pp.  680,  681 ;  XIII,  p. 
603;  XIV,  pp.  632,  633;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914, 
pp.  206,  207;  Bull.  27,  pp.  188,  180.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Min.  Res., 
1915,  Pt.  I,  p.  271. 


200 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


TRINITY  COUNTY. 

Surface  indications  of  quicksilver  ores  are  found  in  several  places 
throughout  Trinity  County,  but  active  mining  for  this  metal  ha.s  only 
been  carried  on  in  tlic  northeastern  part  of  the  county,  between  Crow 
Creek,  a  tributary  to  the  ea.st  fork  of  the  Trinity  River,  and  the  north 
fork  of  tlie  east  fork  of  Trinity  River.  On  the  surface  the  country 
rock  is  principally  serpentine,  usually  very  hard.  Chromite  and 
chrysotile  asbestos  are  found  in  these  serpentine  areas.  There  are 
exposures  of  metamorphic  rocks,  principally  sandstones,  west  of  the 
quicksilver  zone,  on  the  stope  toward  the  North  Fork.  The  material 
in  which  the  quicksilver  orebodies  form  is  a  very  much  altered  rock, 
probably  originally  igneous,  as  it  appears  to  have  been  porphyritie. 
The  principal  commercial  output  of  quicksilver  has  come  from  the 
Altoona  mine,  with  some  also  fi'om  the  Integral  mine. 

The  recorded  production  for  the  county  is  shown  by  the  following 
tabulation : 

Quicksilver  Production  of  Trinity  County. 


Year 


Flasks 


Value 


Year 


Flasks 


Value 


Altoona  before  187.5 

(estimated)*  

1875t    

1876*    

1877    

1878    

1879    

1880    

1881    

18901    

1891    

1895   

1896   

1897    

1898    

1899   

1900    

1901    


I 


l.,000 
l,.5O0 
1.979 
1,H17 
1,534 
1.919 
245 


■•?<S8, 
126, 
87, 
49, 
50, 
57, 
7, 


000 
425 
076 
129 
469 
282 


240 


12.600 


3.926 
4.205 
838 
4.032 
3.076 
2.294 
1.3(12 


137 
139 

29 
151 
123, 
105 

.58, 


,410 
,035 
,330 
,200 
,624 
,982 
,668 


1902 
1903 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 
1910 
1911 
1912 
1913 
1914 
1915 
1916 
1917 


240 

$10,251 

266 

116.000 

102 

3.864 

389 

13.917 

166 

6,059 

98 

3,739 

90 

3.804 

197 

7,915 

133 

5.622 

44 

2,024 

18 

7.58 

4 

161 

§12 


Totals. 


§2,136 


81,166      .^1.400,075 


*Cal.  Stat"  Mill.  15ur.  R"p.  TV.  p.  :«6  (tab!;'). 

+Min.  Res.  W.  of  Rockv  Mtns.  is7<i,  p.  li). 

tCal.  Stat"  Min.  Hur.  Rep.  X,  p.  716. 

§riKin'(s  for  ISTJ  anil  1917  combined  to  conceal  output  of  a  single  operator 

The  actual  total  is  known  to  be  in  excess  of  that  here  given,  as  there 
are  no  segregated  figures,  except  for  the  Altoona  mine,  available  for  the 
years  previous  to  1804.  Tlie  figures  for  1876-1880,  inclusive,  are 
those  of  the  Altoona  only,  the  output  of  other  i^roix'rties  for  that  period 
being  concealed  in  the  early  records  under  the  heading  'other  mines'. 
It  will  be  noted  fi'om  the  above  tabulation  that  there  have  Ix^cn  two 
principal  periods  of  activity  in  the  Trinity  County  quicksilver  mines: 
1875  to  1879  and  1895  to  1001.  Since  1910,  the  yield  has  been 
insignificant. 

Altoona  Mine.  Altoona  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  owner; 
J.    Frowenfeld,    i)resi(li'iit :    ('has.    Allenberg,    secretary;    office,    S'^'i 


I 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  201 

Kearny  St.,  San  Francisco;  Pratt  Bros,  and  Teal,  lessees,  Carrville. 
This  group  of  three  claims,  Trinity,  Altoona,  and  Central,  located  in 
1871,  is  in  See.  22,  T.  38  N.,  R.  6  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  15  miles  northea.st  of 
Carrville  and  16  miles  by  trail  northwest  of  Castella.  Elevation  4625' 
(U.  S.  G.  S.).  Chromite  operators  in  this  vicinity  are  now  bnilding  a 
road  which  will  permit  of  auto-truck  transportation  to  within  2  miles 
of  the  Altoona  mine.  The  first  recovery  of  cinnabar  in  this  district 
was  by  washing  the  gravels  in  the  ravines  below  the  Altoona  ground, 
with  rockers.  The  present  company  acquired  the  property  in  1875, 
began  development  of  the  orebodies  and  erected  a  furnace,  which  was 
kept  in  operation  until  1880,  when  they  closed  down  on  account  of  liti- 
eatiou.  They  reopened  in  1894,  continuing  until  1911,  since  which 
time  only  a  few  flasks  occasionally  have  been  reduced  from  surface 
gouging  or  clean-up  around  the  furnace  plant,  and  from  the  old  dumps. 
The  present  lessees  propose  to  reopen  the  property  to  a  commercial 
scale  of  operations.  The  main  workings  are  at  present  filled  with 
water.  The  total  production  to  date  of  the  Altoona  mine  has  been 
approximately  29,000  flasks  of  quicksilver,  though  the  published  rec- 
ords appear  to  be  somewhat  contradictory  in  this  respect. 

There  are  four  veins,  three  coming  together  at  the  lowest  level,  form- 
ing a  mineralized  zone  400'  long,  and  from  4'  to  50'  wide.  The  ore 
appears  to  be  a  contact  deposit  between  serpentine  and  'porphyry'. 
The  footwall  is  serpentine.  The  workings  consist  of  a  vertical  shaft 
450'  deep,  with  5  levels.  In  the  lowest  level,  a  winze,  152'  deep  wa's 
sunk,  from  which  2  levels  were  driven.  There  are  7  levels  in  all,  cov- 
ering a  territory  of  1600'  in  a  northwest  and  1120'  in  a  northeast  direc- 
tion, within  Avhich  4  different  veins  were  worked  to  a  depth  of  600'. 
The  mine  makes  considerable  water,  and  was  shut  down  in  1902,  when 
fire  destroyed  part  of  the  reduction  plant,  which  has  since  been 
repaired.  The  reduction  plant  includes  a  Knox  &  Osborne  fine-ore 
furnace,  and  a  retort.  Water  supply  is  obtained  from  Crow  Creek, 
between  the  east  and  north  forks  of  Trinity  River.  There  is  abundant 
pine  and  fir  timber  in  the  vicinity. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  :\rix.  Bur.,  Reports  IV,  p.  336  (table)  ;  VIII, 
p.  643 ;  X,  p.  716 ;  XI,  pp.  481,  482 ;  XII,  p.  371 ;  XIII,  pp.  603- 
604;  XIV,  p.  923;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  179; 
Bull.  27,  pp.  192,  219.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  p.  366.  Mix. 
Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1875,  p.  20;  1876,  p.  19. 

Carr  Prospect.  G.  Carr,  owner,  Carrville.  This  consists  of  one 
claim  in  Sec.  22,  T.  38  N.,  R.  6  W.,  :M.  D.  M.,  near  Carrville.  A  little 
cinnabar  ore  has  been  exposed  by  open  cuts. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Mix.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  p.  924;  Chapter  rep. 
bien.  period.  1913-1914,  p.  180;  Bull.  27,  p.  193. 


202  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

Integral  Mine.  Integral  Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  owner; 
Wm.  J.  Simpson,  president,  91  Park  Row,  New  York,  N.  Y. ;  Frank  A. 
Mahon,  manager,  Castella,  California.  This  group  consists  of  46 
claims  and  several  sections  of  timber  land  in  Sees.  14,  15,  21,'  22,  23, 
27.  and  28,  T.  38  N.,  R.  6  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  near  the  Altoona  mine,  16  miles 
by  trail  northwest  from  Castella.  The  mine  workings  are  at  the  junc- 
tion of  Sees.  15,  22,  and  23,  on  the  west  side  of  Crow  Creek.  The 
property  was  a  small  producer  a  few  years  ago,  but  has  been  idle 
recently. 

The  ore  occurs  in  lenses  in  or  at  the  contact  of  serpentine.^  "In  this 
serpentine  lies  a  body  of  highly  altered  rock,  probably  an  altered 
feldspar-porphyry,  as  far  as  ascertained  in  the  form  of  an  irregular 
lens  with  a  northwesterly  dip."  No  large  bodies  are  exposed  in  the 
workings,  which  consist  of  a  shaft  180'  deep,  5  levels,  a  winze  120' 
deep,  connecting  the  lower  level  with  a  tunnel  2760'  long;  also  a  few 
hundred  feet  of  drifts.  A  considerable  amount  of  surface  work  has 
been  done.  Reduction  equipment  consists  of  a  24-ton  Knox  &  Osborne 
furnace.     Only  assessment  work  has  been  maintained  in  recent  years. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Reports,  XII,  p.  373 ;  XIII,  p.  604 ; 
XIV,  p.  924 ;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  180 ;  Bull. 
No.  27,  pp.  193-195. 

Overland  Group.  A.  E.  Yocom  of  Denny,  writes  (May  2,  1918)  that 
he  has  located  two  claims  on  quicksilver  prospects  in  the  northwestern 
corner  of  Trinity  County,  on  a  branch  of  New  River.  Samples  sent 
to  the  State  Mining  Bureau  show  cinnabar  with,  iron  oxide.  The 
ground  was  located  in  1886,  for  gold,  and  a  75'  tunnel  driven,  then 
abandoned.  Yocom  has  cleaned  out  40'  of  this  adit.  He  states  that 
there  is  "an  iron  dike,"  striking  northwest,  along  which  for  at  least 
900'  cinnabar  can  be  panned  out.  "In  one  place,  I  have  crosscut  on 
the  surface  by  trench  3'  deep  for  50',  and  the  dirt  all  pans  cinnabar." 
Samples  of  this  material  sent  to  an  assayer  in  San  Francisco  showed 
0.39%  and  0.46%  mercury.  In  places  in  the  cut,  the  cinnabar  is  shown 
in  fine  stringers.  "One  wall  is  granite,  the  other  an  altered  diorite. " 
Plenty  of  wood  and  water  are  at  hand.  It  is  40  miles  from  the  State 
Highway,  but  there  is  a  good  pack  trail. 

Trinity  Group.  Reischling  Bros.,  owners.  In  Sees.  21  and  22, 
T.  38  N.,  R.  6  W.,  M.  D.  M.,  near  the  Carr  prospect,  near  Carrville. 
Idle. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XIV,  ]).  924;:  Chapter,  rep. 
bien.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  180;  Bull.  27,  p.  195. 


'Forstner.    William,    Quicksilver    resources    of    California :    Cal.    State    Min.    Bur., 
Bull.   27.  p.   194,   lfl03. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  203 


TUOLUMNE    COUNTY. 

The  rare  telliiride  of  mercury,  coloradoite,  has  been  noted^  in  the 
Norwegian  mine  at  Tuttletown  on  the  INIother  Lode  gold  belt  near  the 
northern  boundary  of  Tuolumne  County.  It  was  associated  with  tellu- 
rides  of  gold  and  silver,  but  not  in  commercial  quantities. 

In  the  southern  part  of  this  county,  also  within  the  'Gold  Belt',  two 
occurrences  of  cinnabar  have  also  been  recorded,-  neither  of  which  have 
thus  far  proven  of  economic,  value : 

"An  interesting  set  of  veins  occurs  on  the  steep  slope  of  the  ridge  east  of  Horse- 
shoe Bend.  The  country  rock  is  'greenstone,'  an  augitic  tuff  so  indurated  as  to  form 
a  hard  rock.  There  are  two  nearly  parallel  quartz  veins  from  1  to  3  feet  in  width, 
which  strike  about  N.  40"  W.  and  dip  35°  NE.  The  lower  of  these,  calledthe  Cabinet, 
contains  chalcopyrite  and  a  dark  mineral  which  is  apparently  bornite.'  The  upper 
vein  is  called  the  Lookout  and  like  the  Cabinet,  is  somewhat  auriferous.  Cutting 
both  these  white  quartz  veins  at  nearly  right  angles  is  a  third  vein,  with  approximately 
vertical  dip,  known  as  the  Crystal.  This  vein  contains  cinnabar,  mostly  in  small 
grains  and  crystals,  but  occasionally  in  crystals  two-tenths  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 
Cinnabar  is  also  found  at  Marsh's  Flat  in  the  form  of  distinct  stains  in  a  decomposed 
fine-grained  augitic  tuff.  It  is  not  likely  that  either  of  these  deposits  of  quicksilver 
ore  will  prove  of  economic  value." 


'Lindgren,  'W.,  Geologic  Atlas  of  U.  S.  :  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.,  Mother  Lode  Folio  (No. 
63),   p.   9,   1900. 

^Turner,  H.  W.,  and  Ransome,  F.  L.,  Geologic  Atlas  of  U.  S.  :  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv., 
Sonora  Folio    (No.   41),  p.   5,   1897. 


I 


20-4 


CALIFORNIA   STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


YOLO  COUNTY. 

The  quicksilver  mines  of  Yolo  Couuty  are  in  its  northwestern  cor- 
ner, southwest  of  Rumsey  and  near  the  Napa  County  line.  Geolog- 
icalh^  the.y  are  a  part  of  the  Knoxville  district^  which  extends  over  the 
county  lines  into  southeastern  Lake  County,  as  well  as  into  Yolo.  The 
best-known  mine  of  the  Yolo  County  group  is  the  Reed  which  was  an 
important  producer  in  the  early  70 's.  The  Ruby  (now  January)  was 
also  a  producer  in  former  years,  and  has  recenth'  been  reopened,  and 
equipped  with  a  concentrating  mill. 

The  recorded  output  of  quicksilver  in  Yolo  County  has  been  a.s  fol- 
lows: 

Quicksilver   Production   of  Yolo   County. 


Year 

Flasks 

Value 

Year 

1 

Flasks              Value 

1873    

995 
3,000 

.$79,928 
315,540 

1881         .     -- 

1874    

1875    

1914    

1915 

15 

$736 

1876    

965 
1,516 
1,640 
1,110 

422 

42.460 
56,547 
53,9.56 
3.3,134 
13,082 

1916 

1877    

1878 

1917    --          -      -        . 

*27 

*2,101 

Totals 

1879    

9,690 

$597,484 

1880    

•Combined  to  conceal  outputs  of  single  operators. 

January  Mine  (formerly  Harrison;  also  known  as  Ruby,  and  New 
England),  ^[arvin  W.  and  Mrs.  Madge  Harrison,  owners,  George- 
town ;  under  lease  and  bond  to  January  Jones,  Stanford  Hotel.  San 
Francisco,  and  the  General  Mines  Company,  of  Reno,  Nevada.  It  is 
in  Sees.  26  and  35,  T.  12  N,  R.  5  W.,  south  of  Avest  from  Rumsey. 
There  is  a  good  auto  road  from  Napa,  50  miles,  or  from  AYiuters.  The 
New  England  claim  is  in  Sec.  26,  and  the  Harrison  claim  in  Sec.  35. 
The  principal  development  of  value  has  been  in  the  latter,  Avhich 
apparentlj^  covers  the  same  ground  designated  by  Becker-  as  the  Grizzly 
claim.  Both  are  in  serpentine,  the  mineralization  being  accompanied  by 
silicification,  forming  a  very  hard  black  opaline  material.  The  cinnabar 
is  crystalline  and  occurs  in  seams  in  the  silica. 

The  vein  is  S'-IS'  wide,  striking  E.  and  dipping  S.  It  is  being 
developed  by  two  adits,  the  upper  one  of  which  cuts  the  vein  at  50' 
and  has  exposed  the  vein  for  150'  E..  and  100'  W.  The  lower  tunnel 
is  160'  vertically  below  the  upper,  cutting  the  vein  at  360',  which  is 
being  drifted  on  both  east  and  Avest.  In  July,  3917,^  a  raise  Avas  being 
driven  to  connect  the  two  adits. 


'See  p.  3."?,  ante. 

^Becker,  G.  F.,  GooloRv  of  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Mon.  XIII,  p.  28.3.   1888. 

'The  mine  w.ts  visited  by  Mr.  Eniile  ITucuonin,  field  assistant  of  the  State  Mining 
Bureau,  from  wiio.se  notes,  the  description  lierewlth  is  in  part  written. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  205 

A  eoucentration  mill  of  150  tons  daily  capacity  has  been  built  by  the 
lessees,  which  at  the  present  writing  (April,  1918)  is  stated  to  be  in 
operation.  The  equipment  consists  of  coarse  crushers,  a  ball-mill,  Wil- 
fley  sand  tables  and  Deister  slime  tables.  The  concentrates  are  reduced 
in  2  'D'  retorts  having  a  capacity  of  -150  pounds,  each,  per  charge, 
being  recharged  every  8  hours.  Pending  the  completion  of  the  mill, 
and  the  advent  of  the  rainy  season  to  increase  the  water  supply,  some 
sorted  ore  from  the  underground  development  work  was  retorted  dur- 
ing the  latter  part  of  1917. 

Bibl. :  Cal.  State  :\Iix.  Bur.,  Reports  XII.  p.  363 ;  XIII,  p.  598 ; 
XIY,  p.  369;  Chapter  rep.  Men.  period,  1913-1914,  p.  197;  Bull. 
27.  p.  117.     U.  S.  G.  S..  Mon.  XIII,  p.  283. 

Reed  Mine  (originally  California).  A.  H.  Breed,  owner,  Oakland 
Bank  Bldg.,  Oakland.  This  mine  at  the  junction  of  Sees.  23,  24,  25 
and  26,  T.  12  N.,  R.  5  W.,  M.  D.  M..  south  of  west  from  Rumsey,  was 
in  its  early  history  known  as  the  California.  It  is  first  mentioned  as 
operating  in  1870,  and  appears  in  the  producing  list  in  1873.  with  an 
output  of  995  flasks  of  quicksilver.  The  J.  B.  Randol  table*  credits 
the  mine  with  a  production  of  5,653  fla.sks  between  1876  and  1880. 
The  mine  has  not  been  operated  since  that  time,  and  the  buildings  have 
been  destroyed  by  fire,  but  a  small  output  was  made  in  1914  and  1915 
by  burning  brick  and  mortar  from  the  old  furnaces,  in  a  'D'  retort. 
The  ore  carried  is  principally  metacinnabarite.  The  property  was 
owned  for  many  years  as  part  of  a  cattle  range. 

The  Reed  mine  is  close  to  the  line  of  contact  of  an  area  of  serpentine 
with  unaltered,  fossiliferous  rocks,  the  orebodies  being  contained  in  an 
opaline  material.  The  ore  was  followed  from  the  surface  to  the  300- 
foot  level,  the  deepest  in  the  mine.  The  trend  of  the  deposit  was  the 
same  as  that  of  the  strata  in  this  vicinity,  nearly  parallel  to  the  course 
of  the  creek,  the  dip  being  30^  SAY,  or  somewhat  less  than  the  average 
dip  of  the  disturbed  strata  nearby.  Pyrite  accompanied  the  cinnabar 
in  a  quartzose  gangue;  also  some  bitumen  was  present. 

Bibl.:  Cal.  State  ]\Iix.  Bur.,  Reports  lY.  pp.  261,  289,  336 
, (table)  ;  Y,  p.  95;  YI,  Pt.  I,  p.  122;  X,  pp.  358,  793;  XI,  p.  68; 
XIII,  p.  604;  XIY,  p.  369;  Chapter  rep.  bien.  period,  1913- 
1914.  p.  197 :  Bull.  27.  p.  117.  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  pp.  281, 
282,  283.  Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Geol.  Yol.  II,  p.  133.  Min. 
Res.  W.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  1873,  p.  10 ;  1874,  p.  30 ;  1875,  pp.  14, 
174,  493. 


^Report  of  State  Mineralogist,  Vol.  IV,  p.  3.36. 


206  CALIPOBNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU, 

PART    II. 

METALLURGY. 

INTRODUCTION  and  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

In  the  summer  of  1913,  preparatory  to  a  field  trip  through  the  coun- 
ties north  of  San  Francisco  Bay,  for  the  California  State  Mining 
Bureau,  the  writer  made  a  cursory  review  of  literature  descriptive  of 
the  quicksilver  districts  of  California,  and  of  the  metallurgy  of  quick- 
silver. At  that  time  the  question  came  to  my  mind : — probably  induced 
by  personal  experiences  with  handling  auriferous  sulphide  ores — 
"Why  hasn't  some  one  tried  concentration  on  quicksilver  ores?"  This 
thought  was  entirely  independent  of  the  subsequent  discovery  that 
some  comparatively  inconspicuous  cases  existed. 

Later,  after  consultation  with  Mr.  Fletcher  Hamilton,  State  Miner- 
alogist, and  Prof.  Andrew  C.  Lawson,  Dean  of  the  College  of  Mining, 
University  of  California,  the  writer  was  authorized  to  conduct  a  series 
of  experiments  along  these  lines,  in  co-operation  between  the  two 
departments.  Ore  samples  were  obtained  from  mines  in  several  dif- 
ferent localities,  and  the  experimental  work  has  been  carried  out  in 
the  metallurgical  laboratory  and  mill  at  the  University.  This  work 
has  spread  over  a  period  of  about  two  and  a  half  years,  interspersed 
with  the  writer's  other  duties  as  a  member  of  the  technical  staff  of  the 
State  Mining  Bureau,  and  which  have  included  field  trips  to  practically 
all  of  the  operating  quicksilver  mines  of  the  State. 

Appreciation  and  acknowledgment  is  here  expressed  of  the  latitude 
of  action  accorded  under  the  authorization  of  Mr.  Fletcher  Hamilton, 
State  Mineralogist,  and  for  assistance  and  suggestions  from  Professors 

A.  C.  Lawson,  E.  A.  Hersam,  and  W.  A.  Morley  of  the  College  of  Min- 
ing, Dr.  L.  H.  Duschak  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines,  also  from  Messrs. 

B.  M.  Newcomb,  R.  P.  Newcomb,  H.  W.  Gould,  H.  G.  S.  Anderson,  and 
S.  E.  Woodworth.  We  wish  especially,  also,  to  thank  the  following 
mine  managers,  operators,  or  owners  who  so  kindly  furnished  the  ore 
samples  which  made  possible  the  mill  and  laboratory  tests :  Messrs. 
Clifford  G.  Dennis,  A.  A.  Gibson,  Ellard  W.  Carson.  Louis  Patriquin. 
W.  G.  Adamson,  R.  H.  Broughton,  G.  T.  Ruddock.  J.  E.  Miller,  C.  G. 
White,  R.  L.  Beals. 


quicksilver  resources.  207 

Chapter  1. 

METALLURGY  OF  MERCURY  OR  QUICKSILVER. 

Historically,  quicksilver  was  known  at  least  four  centuries  before 
the  Christian  Era.  Hoover/  in  his  classic,  the  translation  of  Agricola's 
De  Be  MetaUica,  in  an  historical  footnote  on  the  metallurgy  of  quick- 
silver, says: 

"The  earliest  mention  of  quicksilver  appears  to  have  been  by  Aristotle  {Meteor o- 
logica  IV,  8,  11),  who  speaks  of  it  as  fluid  silver  {argyros  chytos).  *  «  *  Dios- 
corides  (V,  70)  appears  to  be  the  first  to  describe  the  recovery  of  quicksilver  by 
distillation."     Theophrastus  and  Pliny  are  also  quoted. 

I  Agricola  describes  the  methods  in  vogue  in  1554,^  and  accompanies 
his  description  with  wood-cut  illustrations. 

In  this  section  of  the  present  report  it  is  intended  to  describe  the 
metallurgical  methods  and  plant  equipment  utilized  in  the  later-day, 
modern  practice  up  to  the  time  of  the  present  agitation  and  to  discuss 
some  of  the  improvements  proposed  and  being  tried  out  as  to  furnace 
operation. 

Of  interest  and  opportune,  at  this  time  besides  the  author's  experi- 
ments on  concentration,  is  the  investigation  of  the  metallurgy  of  quick- 
silver being  conducted  by  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines  through  its 
Berkeley  (Calif.,)  Experiment  Station  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  L. 
H.  Duschak.  Through  co-operation  with  certain  of  the  California 
quicksilver  producers  data  are  being  gathered  on  furnace  and  eon- 
denser  operations  with  a  view  to  discovering  and  if  possible  finding- 
means  for  reducing  any  existing  sources  of  metal  loss.  By  permission 
of  the  Director  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  ]\Iines,  Mr.  Van  H.  Manning, 
and  with  the  consent  of  the  management  of  the  co-operating  companies^ 
some  statements  from  Dr.  Duschak  relative  to  their  results  to  date  are 
included  in  this  paper. 

Recently  a  correspondent  in  one  of  the  technical  journals*  writing 
re  quicksilver,  remarked  that  the  "Production  of  the  metal  is  retarded, 
it  is  believed,  by  ignorance  of  its  technology."  One  is  tempted  to 
reply  that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  quicksilver  technology.  At  least, 
the  'ignorance'  is  due  to  a  LACK  of  available  technology.  There  is  in 
English  very  little  original  literature  on  the  subject ;  there  being  some- 
what more  in  German  and  French,  relative  to  the  European  practices. 


'Agricola,  Georgius,  De  re  metallica,  1st  Latin  edition  of  1554,  translated  by  H.  C. 
Hoover  &  L.  H.  Hoover,  1912,  p.  432. 

-Op.  cit.,  pp.   426-432. 

'The  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines  Is  glad  to  avail  itself  of  this  opportunity  to  express  its 
appreciation  of  the  liberal  way  in  which  the  quicksilver  operators,  especially  Mr.  H.  W. 
Gould  of  the  New  Idria  Quicksilver  Mining  Co.  and  Sulphur  Bank  Association  and 
Mr.  Murray  Innes  of  the  Oceanic  Quicksilver  Mining  Co.,  have  placed  their  records 
and  facilities  for  experimental  work  at  their  plants  at  its  disposal. 

<Eng.  &  Min.  Jour..  Vol.   104,  p.   490,   Sept.   15,  1917. 


208  CALIFORNIA    STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

The  best,  original  and  most  detailed  works  on  this  snbje(;t  in  p]uglish 
are  the  two  papers  of  S.  1>.  Christ}'^  on  furnaces  and  condensers, 
respectively,  at  New  Ahnaden,  California. 

Is  it  not  oiit-of-place  at  this  point  to  remark  that  m;iny  experiments 
of  various  operators  have  been  conducted.  al)solutely  unaccompanied 
by  any  thought  or  attempt  at  technical  control.  This  often  results  in 
the  hasty  adoption  of  some  method  or  piece  of  apparatus,  M'hicli  a  care- 
ful control  would  have  shown  to  be  useless  or  inefficient ;  or  it  may 
result  in  the  hasty  rejecting  of  what  might  ultimately  prove  to  be  a 
really  economic  feature. 

PROPERTIES   OF  MERCURY   OR   QUICKSILVER. 

To  assist  to  a  better  understanding  of  the  subsecpient  discussion,  the 
properties  and  some  of  the  reactions  characteristic  of  this  element,  are 
here  summarized: 

Mercury  is  tlie  only  metal  which  is  fluid  at  ordinary  temperatures.  According  to 
various  authorities  it  solidifies  at  — 39.4°  C."  "It  contracts  upon  solidification,  and 
forms  a  wliite,  very  ductile  and  malleable  mass,  which  is  readily  cut  with  a  Knife." 
Sp.  gr.,  lluid,  at  0°  C.  is  13.59;  solid,  14.19.  "Its  electrical  conductivity  according  to 
Mattliiesen  at  22.8°  C.  is  1.63,  silver  at  0°  being  taken  as  100.  *  *  *  Mercury  is 
volatile  to  a  sliglit  extent  at  ordinary  temperatures,  and  according  to  Merget  even 
below  — 44°  C.  This  may  be  proved  by  suspending  gold  leaf  above  a  vessel  containing 
mercury,  when  it  will  become  coated  at  ordinary  temperatures  with  a  white  layer  of 
amalgam.  Tlie  boiling  point  of  mercurv,  according  to  Dulong  and  Petit  is  360°  C: 
according  to  Regnault,  357.25°  C.  It  is  converted  into  a  colorless  vapour,  the  density 
of  which  is  given  as  between  6.7  and  7.03.  The  rapidity  with  which  mercury  vola- 
tilizes on  boiling  depends  to  a  great  extent  upon  its  purity.  It  is  mainly  diminished 
by  lead  and  zinc,  and  on  the  contrary  increased  by  platinum.  *  *  *  Platinum 
increases  the  rapidity  of  evaporation  if  digested  for  one  or  two  days  with  mercurv 
at  a  temperature  of  50°  to  80°  C.  Iridium,  gold,  silver,  copper,  nickel,  cadmium  and 
arsenic  have  no  influence  upon  the  rapidity  of  evaporation. 

******* 

"Pure  mercury  is  unchanged  in  air  at  the  ordinary  temperature,  neither  is  it 
affected  by  long-continued  agitation  with  air,  oxygen,  nitrous  oxide,  nitric  oxide,  or 
carbon  tlioxide.  In  damp  air,  however,  it  gradually  becomes  coated  with  a  thin  film 
of  mercurous  oxide  (HgiO).  Impure  mercur.\-  becomes  coated  with  a  film  of  oxide 
even  in  dry  air.  If  mercur>'  is  heated  for  a  considerable  time  up  to  350°  C.  in  the 
air,  it  oxidizes  to  mercuric  oxide  (HgO),  which,  according  to  Pelouze,  is  crystalline. 
This  gradually  decomposes  in  the  sunlight  into  mercury  and  oxygen." 

Mercury  is  solulile  in  concentiated  boiling  H„SO.i,  but  not  in  dilute.  Insoluble  in 
HCl  ;   solution   in   HNO;.,   even   dilute;    Soluble   in  a(iua  regia,   forming  HgCU 

******* 

"Sulphide  of  mercury  (HgS)  *  *  *  ean  be  produced  as  an  amorphous  black 
mass  by  rubbing  together  flowers  of  sulphur  and  mercury  and  by  gently  heating 
the  mixture  of  the  two  bodies.  If  this  mass  is  heated  to  its  melting  point,  mercuric 
sulpliide  volitilizes  and  may  lie  condensed  in  tlie  form  of  a  brownish  red  crystalline 
sublimate.  Tliis  on  grinding  becomes  scarlet  and  forms  artificial  cinnabar.  When 
gently  heated,  air  being  excluded,  it  is  readily  reconverted  into  black  amorphous 
mercuric  sulphide,  but  if  heated  more  strongly,  it  again  sublimes  as  red  sulphide. 
Native  cinnabar  begins  to  dai-ken  at  200°  C,  and  to  volatilize;  at  350°  it  volatilizes 
to  a  very  great  extent,  but  for  its  complete  volatilization  a  low  red  heat  500°  to 
600°  C.  is  requiied.  With  excess  of  air,  it  burns  at  350°  C.  with  a  blue  flame  of 
sulphur,  forming  sulphur  dioxide,  metallic  mercury  separating  out  and  volatilizing. 
The  red  sulphide  of  meicury  daikens  under  the  action  of  light,'  and  after  a  consid- 
erable lime  it  Ix-comes  black  in  consi'(iuence  of  the  separation  of  free  mercury.'*  *  ♦  * 
When  heated  with  other  metals  which  jiossess  a  greater  affinity  for  sulphur  than 
mercury,  for  example  with  iron,  tin  or  antimony,  the  mercury  is  liberated  in  the  form 
of  vapour,  whilst  the  sulpluu-  combines  with  the  respective  metals.  *  *  «  (This 
is  made  use  of  in  the  distillati<in  assay;  as  also  the  following: — W.  W.  B.).  When 
mercuric  sulphide  is  heated  witli  lime  the  mercury  separates  out  and  volatilizes, 
sulphide  and  sulphate  of  calcium  being  produced,  as  shown  by  the  following  equation: 

4HgS-|-4CaO:=4Hg-|-3CaS-fCaSO,. 


'■Christy,  S.  B.,  Quicksilver  Reduction  at  New  Ahnaden  ;  Trans.  Am.  Inst.  Miu.  Eng., 
Vol.  XIII,"  pp.  547-584.  18S4.  Quicksilver  Condensation  at  New  Almaden  ;  Trans.  Am. 
Inst.   Min.  Eng.,  Vol.  XIV,  pp.  206-264,   1885. 

"Schnabel  and  Louis:  Handbook  of  Metallurgy.  Vol.  II,  2d  ed.  1907,  pp.  329-443. 

'•e.g. — certain  Oat  Hill  specimens  which  the  writer  has — W.  W.  B.  , 

»See  Am.  Jour.  Sci. — Vol.  XXXIV,  pp.  341-396  for  a  further  study  of  these  reac- 
tions. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  209 

"The  Extraction  of  Mercury  in  the  Dry  Way. 

.<*  «  *  Two  methods  are  used  upon  a  large  scale.  The  one  depends  upon  the  fact 
that  at  a  high  tempej-ahire  the  oxygen  of  the  air  combines  with  tlie  sulphur  of 
mercuric  sulphide,  forming  sulphur  dioxide,  whilst  the  mercury  is  free  in  accordance 
with  the  equation:  HgS  +  20  =  Hg+S0....  The  other  depends  upon  heating  the  mercuric 
sulphide  with  lime,  when  the  sulphur  combines  with  the  calcium  forming  calcium 
sulphide  and  sulphate,  whilst  the  mercury  is  liberated  as  shown  by  the  equation  (see 
preceding  paragraph). 

"Instead  of  lime,  iron  may  be  employed:  HgS+Fe  =  FeS-(-Hg. 

"In  every  case,  the  above  chemical  reactions  take  place  at  temperatures  higher 
than  the  boiling  point  of  mercury,  so  that  the  latter  is  separated  in  the  gaseous 
form,  and  has  to  be  condensed.      *      *      * 

".\s  *  *  *  in  the  extraction  of  zinc,  a  metal  which  is  also  obtained  by  a 
distillation  process,  the  condensation  of  the  zinc  vapors,  which  are  also  diluted  by 
other  gases,  forms  the  most  difficult  portion  of  the  extraction.  At  a  definite  degree 
of  dilution  the  zinc  can  no  longer  be  obtained  at  all  in  the  liquid  state,  but  separates 
out  in  the  pulverulent  condition,  a  considerable  quantity  of  which  afterwards  remains 
in  the  gases  escaping  from  tlie  condensers.  The  same  occurs  in  the  extraction  of 
mercury,  in  wliich  the  condensation  of  the  metal  forms  the  most  difficult  portion  of 
the  process,  in  consequence  of  the  dilution  of  its  vapours  by  the  above-named  gases 
(SOi',  N.O,  and  products  of  fuel  combustion),  of  the  high  temperature  to  which  the 
metal  has  been  heated,  and  of  the  rapidity  with  which  the  current  of  gas  has  to  pass 
through  the  condensing  appliances.  Nevertheless,  the  condensation  of  mercury 
vapours  is  more  easily  effected  than  that  of  zinc  vapours,  because  the  latter  owing  to 
to  the  low  solidifying  point  of  mercury  ( — 39°  C. ) ,  can  not  separate  out  in  the  form  of 
dust,  but,  when  sufficiently  cooled,  necessarily  forms  a  liquid,  and  because  mercury  can 
be  precipitated  without  great  difficulty,  on  account  of  its  high  specific  gravity,  even 
from  gases  in  which  it  occurs  in  a  high  state  of  dilution.  It  is,  however,  unavoidable 
that  comparatively  small  [?]  quantities  of  mercury — a  metal  that  is  volatile  at  very 
low  temperatures,  should  escape  without  being  condensed.  Even  under  the  best 
conditions  of  working,  the  conversion  of  some  mercury  into  'Stupp'  (mercurial  soot) 
Is  unavoidable.  Thus  at  the  works  at  Monte  Amiata  [Italy]  ouly  20%  to  30%  of 
the  mercury  is  got  in  the  form  of  the  metal — the  rest  is  converted  into  'Stupp.'  The 
soot,  which  consists  of  a  mixture  of  finely  divided  mercury,  mercurial  compounds  and 
sooty  products  of  the  dry  distillation  of  the  fuel  and  the  bituminous  constituents  of 
the  ores,  together  with  its  other  mineral  constituents,  forms  a  deposit  in  the  con- 
denser.s.  It  contains  up  to  80%  of  mercury.  Its  formation  is  due,  according  to 
Patera,  to  the  sulphates,  formed  when  cinnabar  is  heated,  and  the  chlorides,  which 
were  either  contained  in  the  ores  or  produced  by  the  chlorides  present  in  the  ash, 
together  with  soot,  tar,  and  ammonia  derived  from  organic  matters,  which  substances 
envelop  the  particles  of  mercury  as  they  condense,  and  prevent  them  from  uniting. 
The  greater  portion  of  the  mercury  is  recovered  from  the  soot  by  processes  to  be 
described  later  on."      *      *      * 

OUTLINE  OF  METALLURGY. 

The  metallurgy  of  quicksilver,  in  outline,  is  without  doubt  the 
simplest  of  the  reduction  methods  in  use  for  gaining  any  of  the  com- 
mercially valuable  metaLs  from  their  ores.  It  is  a  simple  distillation 
by  applying  heat,  followed  by  condensation  in  a  cooled,  confined  space. 
Crushing  of  the  ore  is  not  even  required,  in  the  case  of  the  coarse-ore 
furnaces.  However,  though  so  simple  in  outline,  there  are  qualifying 
conditions  which  render  its  practical  application  somewhat  difficult  as 
to  details.  The  old-time  operators  have  been  so  well  satisfied  and  con- 
tented with  the  simplicity  of  the  process,  and  with  the  consequent 
assurance  that  "the  furnace  gets  it  all"  (as  one  of  them  expressed 
himself  to  the  writer,  in  answer  to  "What  percentage  of  extraction  are 
you  getting?"),  that  they  have  complacently  sat  back  and  quite  refused 
to  consider  any  further  improvements  possible.  Since  H.  J.  Hiittner 
and  Robert  Scott  evolved  their  improved  Iliittner-Scott  fine-ores  tile 
furnace  at  the  New  Almaden  ]\rine,  in  1875,  that  furnace  has  been  con- 
sidered the  last  word  in  quicksilver  metallurgy,  until  quite  recently. 
Nor  does  the  writer  intend  to  convey  the  idea  hy  that  statement  that 
the  Scott  furnace  is  not  still  and  likely  to  be  for  some  time  yet,  individ- 
ually the  most  important  reducing  agent  in  the  metallurgy  of  quick- 
silver.    One  very  surprising  feature  of  tliis  eomph.cent  attitude,  as  it 

14— 3a540 


210  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

appears  particularly  to  one  f;iiiiili;ii-  with  metalliirj4ical  practices  in  the 
reduction  of  gold,  silver,  copper,  etc..  is  the  absolute  lack  of  any  samp- 
lini?  and  assaying  at  the  quicksilver  mines.  So  far  as  observed,  up  to 
at  least  early  in  1916,  there  Avas  not  a  single  quicksilver  mine  in  Cali- 
fornia which  possessed  or  utilized  an  assay  office.  This,  too,  though 
the  distillation  assay  for  mercury  is  quite  accurate  and  simple  of 
manipulation.  There  had  ))een  a  short-lived  attempt  or  two  at  assay- 
ing in  years  gone  by  at  both  tlie  New  Almaden  and  New  Idria  mines. 
The  various  assaying  methods  are  discussed  in  detail  in  a  snbstMjuent 
section. 

The  older  forms  of  furnaces  and  their  methods  of  operation  are 
described  by  Crookes  &  Rohrig,"  and  by  Egleston,^"  and  the  European 
plants  in  certain  of  the  German,  French  and  Italian  references  noted 
under  Bibliography.  It  is  not  the  intention,  here,  to  take  up  those 
earlier  types,  but  only  those  which  have  been  in  use  in  Calif oi-nia  in 
comparatively  recent  years. 

There  are  two  main  types  of  quicksilver  furnaces :  The  closed  retort, 
and  the  vertical,  continuous-feed  type ;  the  last-named  being  divided 
into  two  main  varieties — the  coarse-ore  without  interior  tiles,  and  the 
fine-ore  with  interior  tile  baffles  or  shelves. 

RETORTS. 

Retorts  are  made  in  two  forms:  pipe  retorts  and  'D'  retorts,  tlie  dif- 
ferences being  merely  of  shape  and  size.  The  former  consist  of  circu- 
lar, iron  pipes,  8  inches  to  11  inches  in  diameter,  arranged  in  'banks' 
or  groups  up  to  12  pipes.  The  latter  are  larger  in  capacity  and  have 
a  cross-section  like  the  letter  D,  but  with  the  straight  side  hiid 
horizontally,  tints:  fii  The  essential  difference  between  the  rctoi't 
and  shaft  furnace  types  is  that  in  the  former  the  products  of  combus- 
tion of  the  fuel  ai'e  kept  outside  of  the  space  occupied  by  the  ore  and 
not  allowed  to  mix  witli  the  distillation  products  from  tlie  ore:  wliih^  in 
the  latter,  the  heated  gases  and  vapors  from  the  fuel  combustion  pass  up 
through  the  interstices  between  tlie  pieces  of  ore,  and  mingle  with  tlie 
^■apors  being  driven  from  the  ore  itself.  This  latter  condition  makes 
condensation  of  the  mercurial  vapor  a  much  more  difficult  iiro])lem 
than  the  relatively  simple  condensing  of  retort  vapors. 

A  good  form  of  pipe  retort  was  that  formerly  used  by  .Air.  <1.  Y. 
Northey  for  reducing  concentrates  at  the  ]\Ianzanita  ^line.  Colusa 
County,  and  described  by  Forstnei-,"  llie  illuslralion  herewith  (Plate 
XXIII)  being  reproduced  from  his  icport. 


"Crookes  &  Rohrip,   .\  Pru.ticMl  Troatiso  on   Metallursy.    ISfiS.   itp.   504-.'>r!l. 

'"EK-Ipston,  T.,  Metallurgy  of  Silver,  Gold  and  Mercury  in  the  United  State.s.  Vol.  II. 
1800,  pp.   79!)-!»01. 

"I-'orstner  William,  Quiok.'silver  Rosource.=!  of  OaliCorni.T  :  Cal.  State  Mmms  Kur. 
Bull.   27.  p.   201,   l!t03. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


211 


PLATE   XXIII. 


PIPF]   RETORT  FLRNACF] 

BY   CEO.  V.   NORTHEY 


/fe/or7 
(6"  CO.  sit  iror? 
wafer  p/p<^) 


^'  pipe. 


PLATE  XXIV. 
waTey 


hushin, 


\Nith  '/a  drill&d 


co/lccfiyjQ  TomH 
Plan  of  water-jet   condenser  for  quicksilver  retort  at  Oat   Hill  mine,    Napa   County. 


212 


CALIFORNIA    STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


"By  using  arches  around  the  pipo  spaces,  each  retort  can  be  taken  out  separately 
without  interfering  witli  the  working  of  the  others.  Each  retort  has  a  separate 
niercur.v  outlet,  allowing  opportunit.v  to  judge  about  its  workings,  and  the  water 
circulation  thi'ougji  each  water  jacket  can  he  regulated  separately.  The  firebox  is 
placed  to  the  side  of  the  fust  retort,  instead  of  under  it,  enabling  the  easy  discharging 
and  charging  of  this  retort.  By  placing  the  door  of  the  retort  inside  the  wall, 
cooling  of  the  space  against  the  door  and  consequent  accumulation  of  mercury  at  that 
point  are  prevented.  The  charge  is  from  75  to  80  pounds  of  concentrates  per  shift, 
with  the  necessary  lime,  against  150  pounds  of  raw  ore.  Two  furnace  men  are 
required — one  per  shift. 

"The  expenses  of  this  plant  are  about  $25  per  day  for  labor,  '=fuel,  repairs,  etc. 
The  10-pipe  retort,  with  suitable  ore,  can  handle  the  total  product  of  the  concen- 
trating mill,  running  day  and  night,  concentrating  from  20  to  24  tons.  The  total 
cost  of  the  plant,  not  including  the  mill  building,   is  appro.ximately  : 

25    h.p.    engine -- $1,000 

Rock   crusher   250 

5-foot    Huntington   mill 1,500 

5    bumping   tables -_ 1,000 

Concentrating   table    500 

1     elevator 100 

Fittings,    pipe,    etc 150 

Contingent    expenses    500 


1    pipe   retort,   with  building  and   drier. 


'This  plant  in  three  months  turned  out  330  flasks  of  mercury." 


$5,000 
2,000 

$7,000 


Photo   No.   41.      'D'   retorts   at   Aetna    Mine,    Napa   County.     The   'T'   of   1"    pipe   at   retort   door 
is  the  inlet  for  air   circulation.     Water-wheel  and  fan   are  at  right,  just  out  of  picture. 


The  10-inch  pipe  retorts  are  usually  9  feet  in  length,  and  the  12-inch, 
7  feet  in  length,  the  capacity  thus  varying  from  4.9  to  5.5  cu.  ft.  In 
the  usual  practice  the  retort  is  not  completely  filled  with  ore,  so  that  a 


"That  was  in   1903. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


213 


supply  of  free  oxygen  will  be  present  to  vniite  with  the  sulphur  driven 
oft*  and  prevent  its  reuniting  with  the  vaporized  mercury. 

In  some  instances  an  air  circulation  has  been  provided,  particularly 
in  liandling  concentrates.  This  was  done  with  a  water  jet  by  R.  P. 
Xewcomb  at  Oat  Hill,  Napa  County,  the  arrangement  being  described 
by  the  writer^^  in  a  recent  report  on  the  mines  of  that  county  (see 
Plate  XXIV).  Another  arrangement  for  aceompliishing  the  same  pur- 
pose is  that  adopted  with  the  'D'  retorts  at  the  ^Etna  Mine,  Napa 
County.     (See  Photo  No.  41.)     A  1-inch  iron  pipe  is  fitted  into  the 


>"?«••',,,/' 


^oJS'gmi^sr'^'"'  ■ "-* 


Photo   No.   42.     Johnson-McKay   retort,    showing    circulation   system. 

door  of  the  retort,  and  extends  nearly  to  the  back  end  of  the  interior. 
The  exit  pipe  leads  out  from  the  side,  just  back  of  the  door.  In  draw- 
ing oif  the  burned  ore  and  also  while  filling  the  retort  with  a  fresh 
charge,  the  exit  pipe  is  kept  clear  by  inserting  a  plug  in  the  opening. 
A  fan  in  the  condenser  system,  driven  by  a  small  water-wheel,  main- 
tains the  draft  through  the  retort.  Both  ore  and  concentrates  were 
treated  in  these  Aetna  retorts. 

The  Johnson-McKay  pipe  retorts  have  a  special  arrangement  of 
fiues  (see  Photo  No.  42),  by  which  the  portions  of  the  pipe  near  the 
front  and  back  ends  receive  the  greater  part  of  the  heat.     The  following 


'■■■Braclley,  W.  W.,  Mines  and  Mineral  Res.  of  Colusa,  et  al.  Counties ;  Cal.  State 
Min.  Bur.  chapters  of  State  Mineralogist's  Report,  1913-1914,  p.  117,  1915;  also  in 
State  Mineralogist's  Report  XIV,  p.   289,   1916. 


2.U 


CAT.IFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


statciiu'iil  is  riirnished  hy  the  manufacturers/*  the  Josluia  Hendy  Iron 
AVoi-ks.  San  Francisco: 


Photo   No.   43.      Charging   a   Johnson-McKay  retort   at   the    Patriquin    Mine,    Monterey    County. 


"The  Johnson-McKay  furnace  consists  of  a 
diani.      A   less    number   of   pipes   may    be   used   if   desired.      Also 
be  made  10  in.  diam.,  but  tlie  standard  size  of  furnace  is  bettei-. 
standard  furnace  consists  of  the  following: 

12   cast-iron   retort  pipes,    12   in.   diam.   by   6   ft. 
14   cast-iron   inside  covers, 
iron   outside  covers, 
iron   condenser  pipes,  3  in.  by  S  ft. 
ii'on   furnace  front  with  anchor  bolts. 


battery  of  12  retort  pipes,  each  12  in. 
the  retort  pipes  can 
The  ironwork  for  the 

in.   long'. 


12 

12 

1 

1 


cast- 

CilSt- 

cast- 
cast- 
cast- 


iron  stack-plate. 


"Necessary  frame  rods,   scrapers  and  chargers 


"The    approximate   weiglit    Is 
tlie  following  list  of  bricks,  lime, 
6000  common   I'od  brick. 
1300   common   fire-brick. 
200   arch  flre-l)rick. 
10  bl)Is.   lime. 

1  bbl.  cement. 
3J   cu.   yds.   sand. 

2  sacks  fire-clay 


are 


9100    lbs.      For    the 
cement  and  iumbei 


also   supplied, 
setting   of   the    standard   furnace 
will  be  required  : 


12 
6 
2 
3 

2 

"Any 


pieces 
pieces 
pieces 
pieces 
pieces 
pieces 
number 


4   by  6  in.  by  7  ft. 

4   by  6  in.  l)v  3  ft. 

2   by  6  in.  by  6  ft. 

2   by  12   in.   by  16 

2   by  12   in.   by  16 

1   by  12  in.  by  16 
of   pipes   could   be 


5  in.   Oregon  pine  for  frame. 

6  in.  Oregon  pine  for  frame. 
8  in.  Oregon  pine  for  frame. 

ft.   Oregon  pine  for  frame, 
ft.   Oregon  pine  for  trough, 
ft.   Oregon  pine  for  trough, 
used,    l)ut   one   could   not   operate   so   economically 


with  a  few  pipes  as  with  the  standai-d  equipment.  Based  on  a  12-liour  roasting  period 
for  each  charge  of  ore,  tlie  operation  of  tlie  standard  fiu'nace  is  continuous,  since  one 
pipe  is  unload(^d  and  re-charged  every  hour.  Wlien  tlie  pipes  are  suttirii'iitly  lieated, 
the  first  pipe  is  cliarged,  ;iiid  tlien  one  pipe  every  consecutive  liour  until  all  have 
been  charged.  Hy  that  time  I  lie  ore  in  tlie  first  jiipc'  will  liave  roasted  12  hours,  at  the 
end  of  wliicli  period  it  is  ready  for  unloading  and  a  fresh  charge  put  in  its  place.  At 
tlie  end  of  the  next  hour,  the  second  pipe  would  be  unloaded  and  re-charged,  and  so 
on   indefinitely. 


'^Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Sept.  8.  19i: 


adv. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


215 


"As  the  ore  is  heated  the  quicksilver  volatilizes  and  thus  separates  from  the 
sangue.  It  tlien  passes  to  the  condenser-pipes,  and  thence  the  condensed  mercury 
drains  to  the  water-filled  troush  at  the  rear  of  the  furnace,  where  it  is  collected. 
Tlie  cycle  of  operations  destril)cd  is  based  on  a  li'-hour  roasting  period  for  each 
charge  of  ore,  but  the  length  of  the  roasting  period  may  vary.  That  depends  on  the 
character  of  the  ore,  the  intensity  of  the  heat  maintained  in  the  furnace,  the 
expei-ienc(»  of  the  attendant,  and  other  factors.  The  standard  size  of  furnace  should 
treat  from  :2  to  5  tons  daily.  Some  users  have  treated  as  many  as  7  tons  per  24  hours. 
Using  wood  for  fuel,  the  consumption  is  from  l?,  to  IJ  cords  per  day." 

In  l!)l(j.  the  iron-work  for  a  battery  of  these  retorts  cost  $840  f.  o.  b. 
San  Francisco;  while  in  October,  1917,  the  same  material  cost  $950. 
On  the  basis  of  the  1916  prices,  it  cost  approximately  $2500  to  $3000 
to  bnild  snch  a  furnace  nnder  average  conditions.  The  figures  will 
var\-  \\ith  local  conditions. 


Photo    No.   44.     A   battery    (12   pipes)    of  Johnson-McKay  retorts  at  the   Klau  mine, 

San    Luis    Obispo    County. 

Retorts  are,  of  necessity  from  their  construction,  limited  in  capacity 
and  require  more  labor  to  treat  a  given  tonnage  than  do  shaft  furnaces. 
For  these  reasons  they  can  be  profitably  used  only  for  relatively  high- 
grade  ores  and  concentrates.  From  the  standpoint  of  the  life  of  the 
mine,  it  is  doubtful  economy  in  most  cases  to  use  them,  as  one  must 
gouge  the  high-grade  ore  for  them.  Some  attempts  have  been  made 
to  develop  a  continuous-feed  retort. 


216 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


The   Fitzgerald  furnace,   a   continuous-feed,    inclined   retort,   was 
described  bv  Forstner:'^ 


-.  -i  - 


Photo    No.   45.      Livingston    Furnace    under    construction    at    La    Joya    Mine, 

Napa    County. 


"This  furnace  consists  of  an  inclined,  arched  cliannel  of  fire-brick  (angle  35°) 
With  a  tile  floor.  It  has  a  charging  hopper  at  the  upper  end  and  a  discharge  chamber 
with  door  at  tlu'  lower  end.  The  Hames  from  the  tire  chamber  pass  tinder  this  ore 
chamber  along  two  center  flues,  return  along  two  otitside  flues,  pass  to  the  top  of  the 
arch  of  the  lower  end,  and  go  from  the  upper  end  to  the  smoke-stack.  The  vapors 
from  the  ore  chamber  are  conducted  through  an  iron  exit  pipe  which  is  placed  near 
the  upper  end  of  the  ore  chamber  ;ind  is  water-jacketed  outside  of  the  furnace,  to 
two  condensers.  In  the  second  condenser  an  air  current  for  exhaust  is  created  by  a 
water  spra.v  under  100  feet  pressure,  working  on  limestone  to  catch  the  flour  mercury. 
The  capacity  of  eacli  chamber  is  rated  at  10  tons  per  24  hours,  using  one  cord  of 
pine  wood.      In  practice  the   cajoacity   is  less." 

At  the  time  of  Forstncr's  report  (1903),  three  of  these  furnaces  had 
recently  been  built  in  California,  but  at  the  present  time,  so  far  as  the 
writer  knows,  there  are  none  in  operation  in  the  State. 


"Forstner,   Wm.,   Quicksilver   Resources   of  California ;    Cfil.    State   Min.   Bur.,    Bull. 
27,  pp.   204,   205,   1903. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  217 

A  recently  patented  furnace  of  the  continuous-feed  retort  type  is 
known  as  the  Livingston,  having  been  patented  by  Mr.  A.  W. 
Livingston  of  Oakland,  Cal.  It  consists  of  two  vertical  chambers  with 
walls  of  thin  fine-brick,  and  the  fire  on  the  outside.  One  such  furnace 
was  built  in  1916  at  the  Esperanza  Mine  near  Cloverdale,  Sonoma 
County,  but  only  a  small  amount  of  rock  put  through  it,  principally 
liecause  the  furnace  was  erected  before  the  mine  was  ready  to  supply 
it  with  ore.  More  recently  a  second  one  has  been  built,  at  the  La  Joya 
mine  (Photo  No.  45)  near  Oakville,  Napa  County;  and  was  just  being 
dried  out  at  the  time  of  the  writer's  visit  in  September,  1917.  A  water 
spray  in  the  vertical,  condenser  pipes  (seen  on  the  outside  of  the 
furnace  wall)  creates  a  draft  to  draw  the  fumes  into  the  condensers 
and  prevent  their  escape  through  the  upper  part  of  the  ore  charge  to 
the  outside.  A  special  discharge  hopper  and  door  are  a  part  of  the 
design.  Since  the  mine  was  visited,  the  writer  is  informed  that  this 
furnace  has  been  discarded  after  a  trial  run  on  ore.  One  diflficulty 
appears  to  be  that  the  furnace  is  not  high  enough,  resulting  in  there 
not  being  a  sufficient  depth  of  charge  to  keep  hot  ore  in  contact  with 
the  mercurial  vapors  until  they  pass  out  by  the  exit  pipe.  There  is 
also  insufficient  draft  in  the  condensing  system  to  completely  pull  the 
fumes  from  the  ore  chamber.  The  result  of  these  two  defects  is  that 
the  quicksilver  volatilized  near  the  bottom  of  the  ore  chamber,  con- 
denses upon  the  cold  ore  in  the  upper  part  before  reaching  the  fume 
exit.  The  water-spray  in  the  condenser  has  a  tendency  to  flour  the 
mercury. 

At  the  Bella  Union  mine,  also  near  Oakville,  the  Rutherford  Mining 
Co.  was,  when  visited  (September,  1917),  building  yet  another 
arrangement  of  a  'continuous-feed  retort',  recently  patented  by  their 
superintendent,  Mr.  E.  E.  Lillard.  This  consists  of  a  circular,  cast-iron 
ore  chamber  (the  retort  proper)  set  vertically,  within  the  fire-box.  It 
is  two  feet  inside  diameter,  about  25  feet  high,  and  has  interior  pro- 
jecting baffles  cast  with  the  shell,  which  is  cast  in  three  pieces  to  facil- 
itate installation.  There  is  a  discharge  door  arrangement  at  the  bot- 
tom and  a  flue  connection  near  the  top  to  lead  off  the  mercurial  vapor 
to  the  condensers  which  will  have  a  draft  circulation. 

In  1916,  at  the  Senator  mine  of  the  New  Almaden  company,  a 
Lander's  quicksilver  retort,  a  special  form  of  continuous-feed  retort 
built  by  the  Pacific  Foundry  Co.,  San  Francisco,  was  installed  to  handle 
concentrates  (see  Plate  XXV).  It  is  stated  to  have  given  satisfactory 
results.     As  described  by  the  manufacturers:^*' 

"The  capacity  of  this  retort  is  from  100  to  200  lbs.  per  hour,  the 
inside  diameter  being  12"  and  the  length  approximately  12'. 


""Personal  letter  to  the  author. 


218 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MIXING   BUREAU 


PLATE  XXV. 


>^      5s 


Lander's   Continuous   Retort. 


"The  iron,  work  for  this  retort  at  the  present  time  [Nov.  1,  1917] 
is  worth  approximately  $1200.  The  general  plan  of  operation  is  that 
the  ore  is  fed  into  hopper  #9  where  it  automatically  seals  the  retort. 
The  conveyor  screw  #15  which  is  mounted  on  an  air-cooled  shaft  moves 
the  ore  forward  where  it  is  discharged  through  outlet  Jf20.  An  auto- 
matically closing  gate  #21  prevents  the  inlet  of  air  to  the  retort.  Out- 
let #22  is  for  purpose  of  taking  off  the  mercury  vapors  to  a  standard 
type  of  condenser.  #25  indicates  a  fan  which  is  to  force  air  through 
the  hollow  shaft  to  the  conveyor  and  which  is  for  the  purpose  of  keep- 
ing this  part  cool  so  that  it  will  not  warp  on  account  of  the  heat  of  the 
retort. ' ' 

This  retort  could  also  be  used  to  treat  limited  tonnages  of  high-grade 
ore  at  a  small  mine,  where  only  a  small  amount  of  capital  is  available 
for  equipment. 

The  Whitton  furnace,  invented  by  W.  W.  Whittoii,  Oakland,  Cal., 
(U.  S.  Pat.  #1,222,251,  Apr.  10,  1917)  is  a  multiple,  vertical,  continuous- 
feed  retort,  consisting  of  a  series  of  any  desired  number  of  pipes  from 
4  to  17,  arranged  with  a  draft  circulation  to  a  condenser  manifold. 
The  17-tube  furnace  is  estimated  to  have  a  capacity  of  25  tons  per 
day,  and  to  cost   from  $G,000  to  $8,000  installed. 

The  Pevear  furnace  has  been  developed  by  Waldo  S.  Pevear,  #315^ 
W.  2d  St.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  patent  for  which,  the  writer  understands, 
is  now  ])cing  ai)plied  for.  It  consists  of  a  series  of  revolving  circular, 
cast-iron  chainlx'is  willi  interior-projecting  lugs  or  teeth  like  the  old- 


PLATE  XXVI. 


IRON  CLAD  SHAFT  FURNACE 

'CONTINUOUS) 


SECTION  A  B. 


Sv^ 


tLEVATION 


h 


HORIZONTAL  SECTIONS. 

Kxeli  Furnace. 


220  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

fashioned  thrashing--machine  cylinders.  It  requires  that  the  ore  be 
crushed  as  fine  as  10  to  20  mesh.  On  such  material,  a  practically  com- 
plete distillation  of  the  mercury  is  claimed  in  a  very  short  roasting 
period. 

COARSE-ORE  FURNACES. 

Coarse-ore  furnaces,  as  the  name  indicates,  arc  built  to  treat  coarse 
or  lump  ore.  In  construction  and  method  of  operation  they  are  sim- 
ilar to  an  ordinary,  vertical-shaft,  lime  kiln,  and  the  ore  as  fed  to  them 
may  vary  from  3"  to  9"  in  size.  The  principal  varieties  of  this  type  of 
quicksilver  furnace,  which  have  been  used  to  any  extent  are  the  Exeli, 
Knox-Osborne,  Neate,  and  New  Idria.  Some  fine  ore  can  be,  and  at 
times  is,  charged  with  the  lump  ore ;  but  it  should  be  done  sparingly, 
as  it  would  otherwise  choke  up  the  spaces  between  the  ore  chunks  and 
prevent  circulation  of  the  products  of  fuel  combustion.  The  addition 
of  any  fine  ore  is  apt  to  materially  reduce  the  capacity  of  a  coarse-ore 
furnace. 

The  Exeli  furnace  was  first  built  at  Idria,  Austria,  in  1871,  by 
Bergrath  A.  Exeli.  In  California,  two  of  them  were  built  at  New 
Almaden  in  1874-1875,  and  have  been  in  use  until  quite  recently ;  in 
fact  are  still  in  working  order.  The  accompanying  cut,  (Plate  XXVI) 
shows  the  construction  of  the  Exeli  furnace.  Forstner^'  describing 
these  furnaces  at  New  Almaden  in  1903,  says  they  were 

"treating  12  tons  of  ore  every  24  hours;  the  ore  remains  48  hours  in  the  furnace. 
WTiile  it  is  generally  taken  for  granted  that  ores  carrying  a  great  amount  of  metallic 
mercury  can  not  well  be  handled  in  shaft  furnaces,  these  two  furnaces  in  former 
years  gave  very  satisfactory  results  when  burning  the  ore  from  the  1500  foot  level. 
Randol  shaft,  which  contained  large  quantities  of  native  mercury.  The  charge 
consists  of  about  1600  pounds  of  ore.  These  two  furnaces  require  two  men  per  shift 
and  burn  0.605  cord  of  wood  per  24  hours.     The  cost  of  treatment  per  ton  is: 

Labor    10.4166 

Fuel 0.3025 

Total $0.7191" 

The  Knox-Osborne  coarse-ore  furnace  was  patented  in  1872,  and  at 
one  time  several  of  them  were  in  use  in  California.  There  is  one  at 
the  Manhattan  mine,  Knoxville,  Napa  County,  though  at  present  idle; 
and  one  in  operation  at  the  Culver-Baer  mine,  near  Cloverdale,  Sonoma 
County. 

"The  cubic  content  of  the  furnaces  is  about  75  tons,  and  as  it  handles  about  24  tons 
per  day,  the  ore  remains  about  three  days  in  the  furnace.  The  wood  consumption  on 
coarse  ore  is  from  1  to  li  cords  of  oak  per  24  hours.  Three  men  per  shift  are 
required."'* 

The  Neate  coarse-ore  furnace,  patented  by  John  Neate,  is  dis- 
tinguished from  other  furnaces  of  this  type  by  its  having  no  separate 
fire-box.  (See  Plate  XXVIII.) 

"Cal.   State  Min.  Bur.   Bull.   27,   p.   208. 
'-Idem,   p.    210. 


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222 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


PLATE  XXVIII. 


^rasA 


Charging  Hopper 


\\\\\\\\\\\VS.'  .V  \W 


Iga^x^? 


frac^ 


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Discharging    Forh    and 
Door. 


COARSE    ORB  FURNACE. 


JOHN     NEATE        PAT. 


fiPM<L  Del 


QUICKyilAKK    RESOURCES. 


223 


'■■•'The  ore  is  charged  with  coke  in  alternate  layers,  using  from  31%  to  -4%  of  coke, 
depending  on  the  draft  in  the  furnace.  The  drawing  space  in  tlie  bottom  of  the 
furnace  is  open,  leaving  access  to  the  air  and  furnishing  the  draft.  The  top  of  the 
furnace  consists  of  a  liopper,  with  doors  at  the  bottom,  moved  by  levers  from  the 
L-luirging  lloor.  At  this  Hoor  there  is  besides  a  cover  with  a  water  seal,  and  provided 
with  a  glass  panel  to  judge  of  the  condition  of  the  charge.  When  the  latter  is  at 
red  heat  a  charge  is  withdrawn  from  the  bottom.  This  is  done  by  withdrawing  the 
fork  (c),  resting  on  the  bar  (d).  The  drawing  is  done  at  intervals  varying  from 
lij  to  -i  hours  according  to  the  draft  which  is  dependent  upon  atmospheric  conditions. 
The  ore  must  be  in  pieces  of  1^  inches  or  over.  Judging  from  the  furnace  dump,  a 
certain  amount  of  clinkering  takes  place  in  the  furnace." 

There  are  two  of  these  Neate  furnaces,  of  20  tons  daily  capacity, 
each,  in  operation  at  the  St.  John's  mine,  near  Vallejo,  Solano  County, 
and  one  at  the  Hastings  mine  in  the  same  county.     In  1916,  an  old 


Photo   No.   46.      Neate     Coarse-ore      Furnaces,     at     the      Bella     Union     Mine,      Napa     County. 

February,     1916. 

furnace  of  this  type  at  the  Bella  Union  mine,  near  Oakville,  Napa 
County,  was  repaired  (see  Photo  No.  46)  and  again  put  into  service; 
hut  its  use  is  at  the  present  writing  discontinued. 

The  New  Idria  coarse-ore  furnace  (see  Plate  XXIX)  was  developed 
and  designed  hy  ]Mr.  B.  M.  Newcomb,  for  a  number  of  years  general 
superintendent  of  the  New  Idria  Quicksilver  Mining  Co.,  and  pre- 
viously of  the  Oat  Hill,  ..Etna,  and  Knoxville  groups.  As  described 
by  Forstner-" 

"the  fire  is  applied  on  both  sides  of  the  charge,  which  is  only  i  feet  through,  and 
6  feet  long  in  t>ach  compartment  at  tlie  level  of  the  top  of  the  fire  chambers,  and  is 

'"Cal.   .State  Min.   Bur.,  Bull.  27.  p.  210. 
=«Op.  cit.  p.  213. 


224 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


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QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  225 

heated  at  three  sides,  while  besides,  as  it  comes  into  the  fire  cliambers,  the  cliarge 
spreads,  thus  causing  its  speedy  heating  to  tlie  liighest  temperature  in  tlie  furnace. 
The  deptli  of  tlie  discharge  doors  below  the  level  of  the  tire  chamber  gives  the  ore  a 
chance  to  cool  off,  and  to  give  off  tlie  mercury  vapors  not  volatilized  during  its 
passage  in  front  of  tlie  tire  chamber.  This  furnace  is  17  feet  wide,  24  feet  through 
at  the  level  of  the  fii-e  cliaiubcr,  and  has  a  total  height  ot  ilh  feet  from  drawing  floor 
to  charging  track.  It  handles  from  90  to  100  tons  per  24  hours;  its  cubic  capacity 
is  2400  feet,  hence  the  ore  remains  a  little  above  24  hours  in  the  furnace.  It  is  run 
by  two  shifts-'  of  five  men  ea(-li — one  furnace  man,  two  chargers,  and  two  drawers — 
and  requires  not  quite  21  cords  of  wood  per  day.=-  The  excessively  low  fuel  consump- 
tion is  partly  due  to  tlie  high   [  ?]   percentage  of  iron  sulphide  in  the  ore." 

There  are  two  of  these  furnaces  in  operation  at  New  Idria — #2  and 
#3.  Their  output  is  25,000  to  30,000  tons  of  ore  each  per  year,  which 
they  would  handle  at  approximately  $0.45  per  ton,  before  the  war; 
this  figure  including  only  direct  furnace  operation  items,  of  labor,  fuel, 
supplie."^.  and  soot  treatment. 

Top   losses  from  coarse-ore  furnaces. 

While  in  the  case  of  a  fine-ore  furnace  like  the  Scott  the  fine  material 
in  the  throat  and  hopper  serves  as  an  efi'ective  top  seal,  in  the  coarse- 
ore  furnaces  some  other  means  must  be  provided  to  prevent  the  escape 
of  fumes  from  the  top  of  the  charge.  Unless  care  be  used,  particularly 
during  charging,  the  workman  is  liable  to  become  salivated.  An  effec- 
tive form  of  seal  is  that  employed  with  the  Exeli  furnace  (see  Plate 
XXVI.  ante). 

Observations  of  Dr.  Duschak  on  coarse-ore  furnace  operations  are 
summarized  in  the  following  notes: 

"Temperature  distribution. 

"The  following  temperatures  were  observed  in  a  coarse-ore  furnace 
at  New  Idria  treating  60  to  80  tons,  oil  being  used  as  fuel: 


■"J 


Fire  box . 900^  to  1,000^  C 

Ore  in  shaft  at  level  of  top  of  fire-box 550"   to      600°   C 

Exit  pipe  gases 180=  to      200°  C 

"Gas  leakage. 

"Drafts  are  usually  so  regulated  that  pressure  in  exces.s  of  atmos- 
pheric exists  in  the  upper  part  of  the  furnace.  There  is,  therefore,  a 
tendency  for  the  escape  of  furnace  gases  resulting  not  only  in  the  loss 
of  mercury  vapor,  but  also  in  exposing  workmen  to  the  danger  of  mer- 
curial poisoning,  a  condition  which  favors  a  neglect  of  the  furnace 
by  the  attendants.  In  contrast  to  the  Scott  fine-ore  furnace,  the 
coarse  ore  in  the  charge  hopper  is  of  little  use  in  sealing  the  top  of  the 
shaft.  It  is.  therefore,  necessary  to  provide  such  devices  as  accurately 
fitting  slide  gates  and  water-sealed  hopper  covers  to  avoid  gas  leakage. 

"On  one  occasion  when  gas  leakage  about  the  to])  of  the  furnace  was 
particularly  troublesome  the  introduction  cf  an   i"  air  jet  with  60  to 

-'In  1917,  three  shifts. 
"Crude  oil  is  now  used. 

15—38540 


226 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


70  pounds  air  pressure  in  each  of  the  two  furnace  exit  pipes,  together 
with  the  ]o\v(M-inL;'  of  the  or(>  enluiiin  in  the  furnaee.  fireatly  rerlneed  the 
(liftieulty. 

"The  proportion  of  fine  ore  in  tiie  furnaee  eliar<i('  should  be  .strictly 
limited  as  it  I'estriets  the  tjas  passages  through  the  material  in  the 
furnaee  shaft,  tluis  eausing  a  back  pressnre  in  the  combustion  chambers 
with  attendant  eseajx'  of  niercnry-laden  gases  from  tlie  hi-e  doors. 

"Tt  was  obsei'vcd  with  a  coarse-ore  furnaee  in  good  repair  that  the 
ail'  su|)plied  for  e()ml)ustion  of  the  fuel  oil  could  be  nicely  regulated  .so 
that  the  excessive  air,  as  indicated  ))y  a  CO.^  determination  in  the  exit 
gtises,  averaged  from  0  to  20'y'( .  This  is  considerably  better  regulation 
than  has  been  oliserved  in  any  S^cott  fine-ore  fuinaee." 

FINE-ORE  FURNACES. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Livermore  and  the  revolving  type,  the  fine- 
ore  furnaces  are  practically  all  of  the  tile  or  baffle  type.  The  one  most 
frequently  adopted  in  California  is  the  Scott,  also  known  as  the  Hiitt- 
ner-Seott.  Of  the  others — a  Litchfield  furnace  was  in  operation  for  a 
number  of  years  at  the  (rreat  Western  mine,  near  IMiddletown,  Lake 
County;  and  a  Knox-Osborne  fine-ore  furnace  each,  at  the  ^lanhattan 


Photo   No.   47.      Livermore    Furnace    at    Cloverdale    Mine,    Sonoma    County. 


QL'ICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


227 


mine  in  Xapa  County,  and  at  the  Altoona  and  Integral  mines  in  Trin- 
ity (\nnity.  The  Cermak-Spirek  furnace  in  operation  and  construc- 
tion is  similar  to  the  Scott  and  to  the  Knox-Osborne  fine-ore  furnace, 
but  a  somewhat  diiferent  form  of  tile  is  used.  It  is  employed  notably 
at  Monte  Amiata,-^  where  it  is  credited  with  yielding  excellent  results ; 
but  there  are  no  furnaces  of  this  make  in  California.  The  Litchfield 
furnace  resembles  the  Scott,  except  that  the  heat  ascends  in   tlie  oi-e 


Fhoto   No.   48.      Ray   Electric    Oil-burners   on    Livermore    Furnace   at    Cloverdale    Mine. 

chambers  between  the  walls  and  the  tiles,  instead  of  being  forced  to  pass 
over  the  tiles.  The  Knox-Osborne  fine-ore  furnace  has  a  capacity  of 
24  tons  per  day  and-* 

"consists  [see  Plate  XXX]  of  two  ore  chambers,  across  which  the  inclined  tiles 
are  placed  in  a  checkerboard  manner  ;  the  two  upper  rows  of  tiles  are  of  cast-iron, 
the  others  of  Are  clay.  The  ore  glides  down  along  the  channels  formed  by  the  inclined 
planes.  The  double  fire  chamber  is  at  one  side  of  the  ore  chamber.  The  partition 
walls  between  the  fire  chamber  and  the  first  ore  chamber,  between  the  ore  cnambers. 
and  between  the  second  ore  chamber  and  the  first  dust  chamber,  are  pierced  with 
pigeon  holes  through  which  the  flames  pass,  heating  the  tiles  and  the  ore.  The 
partition  wall  between  the  first  and  second  dust  chamber,  both  of  which  form  an 
integral  part  of  the  furnace,  has  five  openings  '^  feet  high  on  the  level  of  the  floor 
of  the  fireplace,  creating  a  down  draft  in  the  furnace.  The  second  dust  chamber  is 
provided  in  its  outer  wall  with  a  large  opening  near  the  top,  through  which  the  fumes 
pass  into  the  first  condenser,  which  is  built  at  the  Integral  mine  contiguous  to  the 
furnace.  The  top  of  the  furnace  is  open  ;  the  charge  is  placed  directly  on  the  upper 
rows  of  tiles  :  the  down  draft  above  mentioned  being  deemed  sufficient  to  prevent  the 
escape  of  gases  from  the  furnace." 


^Spirek,     Vincenzio, 
pp.   56S-5S2.    18<>S. 

-'Cal.  State  Min.  Bur., 


The     quicksilver     industry     of     Italy :   Min.     Ind.,     vol.     VI, 
Bull.  27,  p.  215. 


X 

X 

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QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES. 


220 


Till'  Livermore  furnace  (see  Plate  XXXI)  lias  been  described  in 
detail  by  Egieston.-^  It  is  essentially  an  inclined-hearth  furnace,  with 
the  products  of  fuel  combustion  pasing  directly  over  the  ore.  So  far  as 
noted,  there  are  but  two  examples  of  this  furnace  remaining  in  Califor- 
nia. One,  a  modified  form,  is  in  operation  at  the  Cloverdale  mine,  near 
Cloverdale,   Sonoma   County.      (See   Photo   No.   47.)     Formerly   wood 


» 


Photo   No.   49.      Side     view     of     50-ton     Scott     Furnace     at     Oceanic     Mine, 

San    Luis   Obispo    County. 

was  used  for  fuel,  but  at  present,  crude  oil.  The  burner  being  used  is 
a  Ray  electric,  (see  Photo  No.  48)  in  which  the  oil  is  atomized  by  a  cur- 
rent of  air  created  by  an  electric  fan,  the  driving  motor  being  direct- 
connected,  and  all  self-contained  in  a  single  housing  for  each  unit.  The 
other  furnace  of  the  Livermore  tyi)e  is  at  the  La  Joya  mine,  near  Oak- 


"Egle.ston,   T.,   The   Metallurgy  of  Silver,   Gold   and   Mercury   in   the  U.   S..   Vol.    II, 
p.  887,   1890. 


230 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


PLATE  XXXI 


_jrmr  ni/ii»>js/-  Sri„ng:s'SZ- 


^^^^^^ 


IZG  o  /    p   3    ^   s 


Plan    &  Secfion  of 
LIVERMORE     FURNACE 


Unc^er  ftr^ppe  fo  c/i^77n^y 


■^X    ■X'.X.^- 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


231 


•c 


PLATE  XXXII. 


it  fy  Pimta  S-*^ 


ar^M^at    5hr^-^'-^ 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  231 

ville,  Xapa  County,  and  was  in  operation  during-  a  part  of  1916  and 
1917.  This  furnace,  as  originally  built,  was  supposed  to  lie  a  Fitzger- 
ald-**  inclined  retort ;  but  it  appeared  to  the  writer  to  have  been  oper- 
ated like  a  Livermore,  with  the  flames  from  the  fuel  passing  directly  up 
the  ore  chamber  instead  of  around  it.  It  is  now  idle,  having  been  sup- 
planted by  retorts. 

The  Hiittner-Scott  furnace,  (now  generally  referred  to  as  the 
Scott),  was  developed  by  H.  J.  Hiittner,  Robert  Scott  and  J.  B.  Randol 
in  1875-1876  at  the  New  Almaden  mine,-"  Santa  Clara  County,  as  an 
improvement  on  the  earlier,  European,  Hasenclever  furnace,  to  treat 
the  'tierras'  or  fine  ore  which  had  previously  been  molded  into  adobes 
before  burning.  The  opening,  or  shelf-slit,  between  the  edge  of  one 
tile  and  the  face  of  the  one  next  below  it  was  originally  set  at  3  inches. 
This  has  been  widened  in  later  furnaces,  up  to  as  much  as,  8  inches 
(usually  5"  or  6"),  so  that  medium-sized  ore  up  to  say  3^  inches  may 
now  be  treated  in  these  furnaces.  As  will  be  not^d  from  Plate  XXXII, 
the  tiles  form  a  zig-zag  channel  for  the  passage  of  the  ore  as  it  moves 
from  the  top  to  the  bottom  of  the  ore  chamber. 

The  tiles  generally  used  are  flat,  being  3"  x  15"  x  36"  in  size.  Accord- 
ing to  Forstner,-^  in  1903  they  were  imported  and  cost,  laid  down  in 
San  Francisco,  $3.50  apiece.  More  recently  some  have  been  made  by 
certain  California  fire-brick  and  pottery  manufacturers,  and  are 
reported  to  be  giving  satisfactory  service.  These  cost  approximately 
$3  apiece,  f.o.b.  shipping  point.  In  some  cases,  as  in  Furnace  No.  3 
at  New  Almaden-''  and  the  Cermak-Spirek-'*  furnace  used  in  Europe,  a 
special  form  of  tile  is  used;  but  the  same  zig-zag  channel  effect  for  the 
ore  is  obtained,  while  the  tile  is  stated  not  to  have  given  as  satisfactory 
.service  as  the  flat  form. 

The  fire-box  of  the  Scott  furnace  is  on  one  side  of  the  ore  chamber, 
and  a  vapor  chamber  on  the  opposite  side.  The  furnaces  are  built  in 
daily  capacities  of  from  10  to  60  tons.  The  capacity  is  governed  by  the 
number,  length,  and  height  of  the  ore  chamber.s — -each  additional  tile 
increasing  the  length  of  the  chamber  by  36  inches,  and  the  height  vary- 
ing with  the  number  of  tiles  placed  one  above  the  other.  Usually  the 
outer  walls  are  braced  with  iron  tie-rods.  (See  Photo  No.  49.)  Two  of 
the  furnaces  at  New  Almaden  were  '  iron-clads ',  or  enclosed  with  iron 
plates ;  but  this  appears  unnecessarily  expensive.  Peep  holes  are  placed 
in  the  end  walls,  to  enable  observation  of  the  condition  of  the  ore  at 
different  levels  in  the  furnace. 


='For.stner,  Wm.,  Quicksilver  Resources  of  California:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.  Bull.  27, 
p.  81,  190.3. 

-•Christy,  S.  B.,  Quirksilver  Reduction  at  New  Almaden :  Trans.  Am.  Inst.  Min. 
Eng..  Vol.   XIII,  p.   .^5.3.    18S.5. 

=»State  Min.   Bur.   Bull.   27.  p.   221. 

^Iflem.  p.   221. 


i  T-T-.     TlTTXTTXTn     RTTRTTATT. 


I 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  231 

ville,  Napa  County,  and  was  in  operation  durinji'  a  part  of  ]916  and 
1917.  This  furnace,  as  originally  built,  was  supposed  to  be  a  Fitzger- 
ald'-'' inclined  retort ;  but  it  appeared  to  the  writer  to  have  been  oper- 
ated like  a  Livermore,  with  the  flames  from  the  fuel  passing  directly  up 
the  ore  chamber  instead  of  arovmd  it.  It  is  now  idle,  having  been  sup- 
planted by  retorts. 

The  Hiittner-Scott  furnace,  (now  generally  referred  to  as  the 
Seott),  was  developed  by  H.  J.  ITiittner,  Robert  Scott  and  J.  B.  Randol 
in  1875-1876  at  the  New  Almaden  mine,"^  Santa  Clara  County,  as  an 
improvement  on  the  earlier,  European,  Hasenclever  furnace,  to  treat 
the  'tierras'  or  fine  ore  which  had  previously  been  molded  into  adobes 
before  burning.  The  opening,  or  shelf-slit,  between  the  edge  of  one 
tile  and  the  face  of  the  one  next  below  it  was  originally  set  at  3  inches. 

I  This  has  been  widened  in  later  furnaces,  up  to  as  much  as  8  inches 
(usually  5"  or  6"),  so  that  medium-sized  ore  up  to  say  3^  inches  may 
now  be  treated  in  these  furnaces.  As  will  be  not^d  from  Plate  XXXII, 
the  tiles  form  a  zig-zag  channel  for  the  passage  of  the  ore  as  it  moves 
from  the  top  to  the  bottom  of  the  ore  chamber. 

The  tiles  generally  used  are  flat,  being  3"  x  15"  x  36"  in  size.  Accord- 
ing to  Forstner,-^  in  1903  they  were  imported  and  cost,  laid  down  in 
San  Francisco,  $3.50  apiece.  More  recently  some  have  been  made  by 
certain  California  fire-brick  and  pottery  manufacturers,  and  are 
reported  to  be  giving  satisfactory  service.  These  cost  approximately 
$3  apiece,  f.o.b.  shipping  point.  In  some  cases,  as  in  Furnace  No.  3 
at  New  Almaden-^  and  the  Cermak-Spirek-"  furnace  used  in  Europe,  a 
special  form  of  tile  is  used;  but  the  same  zig-zag  channel  effect  for  the 
ore  is  obtained,  while  the  tile  is  stated  not  to  have  given  as  satisfactory 
service  as  the  flat  form. 

The  fire-box  of  the  Scott  furnace  is  on  one  side  of  the  ore  chamber, 
and  a  vapor  chamber  on  the  opposite  side.  The  furnaces  are  built  in 
daily  capacities  of  from  10  to  60  tons.  The  capacity  is  governed  by  the 
number,  length,  and  height  of  the  ore  chamber.s — each  additional  tile 
increasing  the  length  of  the  chamber  by  36  inches,  and  the  height  vary- 
ing with  the  number  of  tiles  placed  one  above  the  other.  Usually  the 
outer  walls  are  braced  with  iron  tie-rods.  (See  Photo  No.  49.)  Two  of 
tiie  furnaces  at  New  Almaden  were  'iron-clads',  or  enclosed  with  iron 
plates ;  but  this  appears  unnecessarily  expensive.  Peep  holes  are  placed 
in  the  end  walls,  to  enable  observation  of  the  condition  of  the  ore  at 
different  levels  in  the  furnace. 


=«For.';tner.  Wm.,  Quicksilver  Resources  of  California:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.  Bull.  27, 
p.  81,  1903. 

"Christy,  S.  B.,  Quicksilver  Reduction  at  New  Almaden :  Tians.  Am.  Inst.  Min. 
JSng.,  Vol.   XIII,  p.   !S.^3.    188.5. 

"State  Min.  Bur.   Bull.    27.  p.   221. 

^Idem.  p.   221. 


232 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


(}' 


p 
■J. 


o 
a. 
o 
H 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


233 


PLATE   XXXIV. 


Discharge  of  Scott   Furnace. 


The  charging  and  discharging  arrangements  for  the  Scott  furnace 
are  shown  by  Plates  XXXIII  and  XXXIV,  also  Photo  No.  4,  {ante). 

The  following  two  tabulations  by  Forstner^^  give  the  dimensions  of 
>;»me  of  the  Scott  furnaces  in  California  in  1903  and  the  materials 
required  in  construction : 


"Op.  cit.  p.  223. 


234: 


CALIFORNIA    STA'I'K    MIXIXC   BUREAl'. 


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saqoni  'ms  Jiaqg 


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sno}  'jnajno  Xwva 


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QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 
Materials   Required  for  a  Scott   Furnace. 


235 


10-ton 


40-ton  50-ton 


^                ,    .  1                                                                  '  150,000  300,000  400,000 

Common  brick ^2000  20,000  30,000 

Fire  brick '^gg  36O  428 

Tiles  ...--—— 25  1  40  50 

Cement   (barrels)   ! 


I 


Fire-clay,  timber  for  frame,  iron  for  frame,  grates,  hopper,  etc. 

The  common  brick  are  frequently  burned  from  local  clays  near  the 
mine  Fire-brick  in  1903  cost  $32.50  per  1000  in  San  Francisco ;  while 
in  1917  they  were  approximately  $30-$40  per  1000  depending  on  quan- 

titv  bousht.  .  ,    ,    .  T  J 

The  total  cost  of  a  Scott  furnace,  complete,  with  brick  condensers, 
will  amount  to  approximately  $1000  per  ton-day  capacity.  Some  have 
been  built  for  less,  and  the  cost  will  vary  with  freight  rates,  labor,  avail- 
ability of  local  clays  for  brick,  and  other  local  conditions.  Wi  h 
wooden  condensers,  instead  of  brick,  the  plant  cost  will  be  appreciably 
lowered  Present  economic  conditions  are  abnormal  to  such  a  degree, 
that  any  cost  data  given  as  of  the  moment,  would  not  represent  a  fair 

basis  for  comparison.  114- 

The  Scott  furnace  could  be  built  with  thinner  walls,  with  an  msulat- 
inc.  laver  such  as  diatomaceous-earth  blocks  between  the  outer  brick 
ana  the  fire-brick  lining.  To  strengthen  these  lighter  walls,  they  could 
be  iron-clad,  but  it  need  not  be  so  heavy  as  were  the  iron-clad  furnaces 
at  the  New  Almaden  mine.  The  insulating  layer  would  reduce  loss  of 
heat  by  radiation,  and  thus  economize  on  fuel  consumption. 

\mon-  other  things,  there  is  one  feature  of  Scott  furnace  operations 
which  has  impressed  itself  upon  the  writer  -.-that  is,  the  number  of 
times  that  the  ore  is  handled  at  many  of  the  plants  before  it  is  finally 
discarded.  Nor  is  this  an  unu.sual  fault  nor  confined  to  the  quicksilver 
mines.  It  is  of  frequent  occurrence  at  many  other  kinds  of  mines,  till 
the  ore  '^ets  'worn-out'  with  handling,  as  the  saying  goes.  An  auto- 
matic ieed  could  be  readily  provided  for  a  Scott  furnace.  In  fact, 
there  is  oae  si.ch  installation,  at  least,  in  California,  at  the  Guadalupe 
mine,  Santa  Clara  County.*  The  ore  from  the  bins  is  fed  automatically 
to  a  rotarv  drier  which  in  curn  discharges  directly  into  the  hopper  of 
the  Scott.'  An  automatic  discharge  would  probably  be  more  difficult 
to  arrange,  but  it  could  doubtless  be  accomplished.  Such  features 
would  materially  reduce  the  labor  item  in  the  cost  of  operation. 

As  ordinarily  conducted,  the  roasting  period  of  the  ore  in  a  Scott 
furnace    is    approximately    2-t   hours— that    is,    2-4   hours    is    the    time 


236  CALIFORNIA  sTAi'i;  :mixing  bureau. 

required  for  a  given  cliarge  to  pass  from  the  throat  to  the  discharge  pit. 
At  the  Black  Butte  IMiue.  Oregon,  in  3909,  W.  B.  Dennis,'''  developed 
an  aece.^.sory  wood-gas  producer  with  a  gas  lieating  arrangement  for  the 
40-ton  Scott  furnace,  by  which  he  i-ednced  the  roasting  period  from  24 
hours  to  4  hours,  "with  a  cleaner  and  in  every  way  more  satisfactory 
roast."  We  have  not  heard  of  this  system  having  been  adopted  else- 
where, at  least  not  in  Calif(U'nia  ;  hut  it  would  appear  to  merit  invcsti- 
gal  ion. 

In  the  high  temperature  parts  of  the  furnace,  wherever  there  is  a 
dead  space  due  to  a  corner  or  lack  of  draft  (as  in  the  square  corner.s  of 
the  flues  and  dust  chambers),  the  SO^  and  volatilized  mercury  unite  to 
form  a  deposit  of  mercuric  sulphate  scale.  The  author  has  specimens 
of  such  material  which  were  gathered  from  furnaces  being  torn  down 
at  the  Sulphur  Bank  mine,  and  at  New  Idria.  Goodyear^^^  describes 
the  formation  of  sulphate  in  the  furnaces  at  New  Idria  and  notes  that 
more  of  it  formed  in  the  summer  months,  than  in  the  winter. 

Observations  of  Dr.  Duschak  relative  to  temperature  distribution  and 
regulation,  and  fuel  consumption,  in  the  Scott  furnace,  are  summarized 
in  the  following  statements : 

"Temperature  distribution. 

"Both  wood  and  fuel-oil  are  used  in  the  Scott  furnace  in  California. 
The  range  and  distribution  of  the  temperature  in  the  furnace  varies 
somewhat  with  the  fuel,  and  the  distribution  also  depends  on  Avhether 
an  auxiliary  fire  is  used  at  the  back  of  the  furnace  in  the  chamber  oppo- 
site the  main  fire  box.  This  point  will  be  made  clear  by  reference  to 
the  accompanying  diagram  (Plate  XXXV)  which  represents  a  vertical 
cross-section  parallel  to  the  side  of  the  furnace.  The  hot  gases  from  the 
main  fire-box  1,  have  a  tendency  to  rise  to  the  arch  and  seek  passage 
through  the  upper  rows  of  flues,  thus  leaving  the  lower  part  of  the 
furnace,  particularly  at  the  rear,  in  the  vicinity  of  2,  relatively  cold. 
When,  however,  a  small  fire  is  introduced  at  2  a  draft  is  created  which 
tends  to  draw  the  gases  from  the  main  fire-box  through  the  lower  flues 
thereby  making  the  lower  portion  of  the  furnace  more  effective.  In 
the  following  tabulation,  column  A  shows  the  range  of  temperatures  in 
a  wood-fired  50-ton  Scott  furnace  without  auxiliary  fire  at  2.  Column 
B  gives  similar  data  for  an  oil-fired  70-ton  Scott  furnace  with  a  small 
fire  at  2.  The  numbers  refer  to  tlie  accompanying  diagram.  (Plate 
XXXV.) 


"Dennis,  W.  B.,  Shortenins  the  roasting'  period  for  mercury  ores:  Eng.  &  Min. 
Jour.,  Vol.  LXXXVIII,  pp.  112-116,  1900. 

''"Goodyear,  W.  A.,  Report  on  examination  of  tlie  Quicksilver  minr.s  of  California  : 
Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.,  Geol.  Vol.  II.  pp.   116,   117,   1SS2. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


237 


700^^  to  900°  C 


3. 

500°  to  550°  C 

4. 
5. 

6. 

i 

s 

300°  to  350°  C 
150°  C 

B 

900°  to  1100°  C 
600°  to  700°  C 
600°  to     700°  C 

400°  to     450°  C 

200°  C 

"As  is  pointed  out  in  succeeding  paragraphs,  the  proper  exit-pipe 
temperature  varies  with  the  grade  of  ore  and  the  volume  of  gas  leaving 
the  furnace  per  ton  of  ore  treated.  Taking  these  points  into  consider- 
ation the  exit-pipe  temperatures  shown  in  the  above  tabulation  both 
represent  safe  practice. 

"Exit   Pipe   Temperature. 

"The  temperature  of  the  gases  leaving  a  quicksilver  furnace  must  be 
sufficient  to  prevent  the  condensation  of  any  quicksilver  in  the  furnace. 
On  the  other  hand  an  excessive  temperature  means  a  waste  of  fuel  and 
throws  an  unnecessary  burden  upon  the  condenser  system.  The  tem- 
perature at  which  quicksilver  vapor  will  begin  to  condense  depends 
upon  its  concentration  in  the  furnace  gases  which  in  turn  depends  upon 
the  grade  of  ore  and  the  volume  of  gases  leaving  the  furnace  per  unit 


PLATE   XXXV. 


SKETCH  OF  SCOTT  FURNACE 


£nc/  Sect/on 


Burner 


Booster 
Fire 


SCALE  OF  FEET 


O 


— J  I I  ( J 


Mam 
Fire-box 


L  ongit  udinal  Sec  tion 


Co/ifor'ntaSfoteMiningBiJ'~^au 


238 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


weight  of  ore  treated.  The  rehition  between  these  several  factors  is 
given  by  tin-  curves  in  tlie  at-eompanying  diagram.  (Plate  XXXVI.) 
The  tempera! ui't'  at  wliicli  the  fnrnace  gas  will  be  saturated  with  quick- 
silver vapor,  or  in  otlici-  words,  below  which  condensation  will  begin,  is 
given  i»y  tlie  abscissa.  The  volume  of  furnace  gas  in  cubic  meters  per 
metric  ton  of  ore  is  plotted  as  ordinate  and  the  several  curves  correspond 
to  ores  containing  the  indicated  percentages  of  mercury.  For  ordinary 
Scott  furnace  practice  the  volume  of  gas  measured  at  0°  C.  and  at  the 
average  atmospheric  pressure  at  the  furnace  amounts  to  400  to  700  cubic 
meters  per  metric  ton  of  charge. 


PLATE   XXXVI. 


>f 

B 

CONDENSATION   TEMPERATURES   FOR   MERCURY   VAPOR   IN  FURNACE  GASES 

^         jj                           "j4~i^opor  pressure  of /ryercary  expressed /n  mm.  of  mercury. 
1        ^                        "B"-Ky.o/mercury  retfuired  to  saturate  /rn'o/oir  measured  ot  O'C. 
"^         ^                                 and  tieoted  under  constant  pressure  to  yivery  temperature. 
4        •§                                                      //T}'-3S./4.fi.         IOOOfrg.'ZZ04/bs 
6        ^                 m' furnace  cfas  at  O'Cortd  constant  Cprey-a/Z/ng)  pressure  per /OOOAg.ore. 

J7.*7 
/2.SS 

am 

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0.46JS 

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O.OOI27 

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0.073/ 

0.0498 

a0334 

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o.oo8as 

0.00S4S 
0.00324 
0.00/88 

aoo/os 

0.0j  S84 
0.0,298 
O.Oj  /49 
0.0,704 
0.0^  32$ 
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O.0sS69 
O.Os2/€ 

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?           /OO        zoo        30Q       -^OO        SOQ       600         TOO        <900       900        /OOC       //OO     /200      /JOO      /400      /SO^     /600      /''C'O      ,800 
a7i9.  Co/t/t)r-n,a Stole  /fining aareau                                                                                                                              Ca^riPSi/  of  U5  /-     -.■»..  .-r'**'  "'■J 

"By  way  of  illustration  assume  that  the  furnace  charge  carries  0.8% 
Hg  and  that  the  gases  leaving  the  furnace  amount  to  500  cubic  meters 
measured  under  the  above  conditions  per  metric  ton  of  charge.  By 
reference  to  the  chart  it  will  be  seen  that  the  theoretical  saturation  tem- 
perature is  about  134°  C.  In  practice,  however,  a  certain  margin  of 
safety  is  necessary  in  order  to  make  due  allowance  for  normal  tluctua- 
tions  in  furnace  temperature  and  for  the  chilling  of  the  gas  when  cold 
and  damp  ore  enters  the  furnace.  A  temperature  of  175°  C.  would  be 
about  right  under  the  above  conditions.  At  this  temperature  the  gases 
leaving  the  furnace  per  metric  ton  charged  would  occupy  a  volume  of 
820  cubic  meters  (corresponding  to  2(5,200  cubic  feet  per  short  ton). 

"Extending  the  practical  illustration  a  little  further,  suppose  that  a 
furnace  operating  undo-  the  c(tndi1ions  just  assumed,  handles  50  metric 


i 


P 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  239 

tous  (55  short  tons)  of  ore  in  2-1:  hours.  At  the  exit-pipe  temperature 
of  175°  C,  28.5  cubie  meters  (1000  cubic  feet)  of  gas  will  leave  the 
furnace  per  minute.  Assuming  .that  the  gas  stream  increases  25%  in 
volume  through  leakage  in  passing  through  the  condenser  system  and 
leaves  at  40"  C.  the  mean  linear  velocity  in  the  usual  3-foot  diameter 
flue  leading  to  the  stack  will  be  about  36  meters  or  120  feet  per  minute. 
This  will  serve  to  give  some  idea  of  the  conditions  obtaining  in  good 
furnace  practice. ' ' 

"Temperature   regulation. 

"Quicksilver  operators  have  not  yet  fully  appreciated  the  advantages 
along  the  line  of  fuel  economy  and  safer  and  more  certain  furnace  oper- 
ation to  be  gained  by  careful  temperature  control.  A  suitable  install- 
ation for  this  purpose  consists  of  an  indicating  pyrometer,  situated  near 
the  furnace  for  use  of  the  furnace  men.  a  recorder  in  the  superintend- 
ent's office  or  at  other  convenient  point,  and  preferably,  at  least  two 
thermocouples  in  each  furnace.  By  the  use  of  suitable  switches  a 
single  indicator  and  recorder  can  be  used  for  several  furnaces. 

"The  location  of  the  thermocouples  requires  some  consideration. 
Referring  to  the  diagram  (Plate  XXXV).  although  there  would  be 
some  advantage  in  placing  a  thermocouple  at  point  1  in  the  main  fire- 
box, the  temperature  range  with  oil  firing  at  least  is  such  that  a  base- 
metal  couple  is  likely  to  undergo  deterioration  and  thus  render  its  indi- 
cation somewhat  uncertain.  Moreover,  the  advantage  to  be  gained  b.y 
permanently  locating  a  couple  at  this  point  hardly  justifies  the  high 
cost  of  a  precious-metal  couple.  Point  3  is  suggested  as  a  good  per- 
manent location  for  a  .base-metal  thermocouple  and  a  second  one  may 
be  advantageously  placed  in  one  of  the  exil>  pipes  (point  6).  Regular 
observation  of  the  temperatures  at  these  two  points  should  be  sufficient 
for  good  regulation  of  the  furnace,  but  it  is  suggested  that  an  extra 
^et  of  leads  be  provided  from  the  indicator  to  the  furnace  so  that  a 
portable  base  metal  couple  may  be  used  in  making  temperature  observa- 
tions at  points  1,  4  and  5  or  elsewhere.  With  the  usual  Scott  furnace 
construction  certain  peep  holes  may  be  selected  for  use  in  making  a 
thorough  survey  of  the  furnace  temperature.  It  is  believed  that  such 
a  survey  should  be  particularly  useful  in  locating  the  cause  of  any  dis- 
turbance in  regular  furnace  operation. 

"Fuel  consumption. 

"With  ore  carrying  only  a  few  per  cent  uf  moisture,  but  devoid  of 
any  considerable  quantity  of  metal  sulphides,  which  would  serve  as 
fuel,  a  fuel  oil  consumption  of  5  to  6  gallons  per  ton  of  ore  treated,  or 


240  CALIFORNIA   STATE  MINING   BUREAU. 

roughly,  2.2%  by  weight,  may  Ix'  considered  as  good  practice.  Witli 
wood  as  fuel  the  consumption  ranges  from  0.03  to  0.05  cords  per  ton, 
or  roughly,  47r  hy  wfight,  depending  somewhat  on  Ihe  quality  of  the 
wood. 

"A  high  moisture  content  in  the  furnace  charge  will  not  only 
increase  the  fuel  consumption,  but  increase  the  danger  of  hang-ups 
and  other  disturbaiiees  in  furnace  operations.  When  moist  ore  is  to  be 
handled  it  should  be  dried  before  charging  to  the  furnace.  A  Scott 
furnace  is  not  designed  as  an  ore  drier.  Generally  speaking,  the  evap- 
oration of  a  given  amount  of  moisture  calls  for  a  given  fuel  consump- 
tion. There  is  therefore,  no  fuel  economy  in  feeding  wet  ore  to  the 
furnace,  but  on  the  other  hand,  hang-ups  resulting  in  the  reduction  of 
furnace  capacity  and  other  difficulties  are  likely  to  result. 

"Observations  made  in  the  field,  recently,  indicated  that  sufficient 
attention  has  not  been  given  to  the  regulation  of  the  air  entering  the 
Scott  furnace.  With  oil  firing  under  the  best  practice  so  far  observed 
nearly  100%  air  in  excess  of  that  required  for  combustion  leaves  the 
furnace  exit  pipes  and  with  wood  firing  an  excess  of  200%  to  300%: 
has  been  observed.  This  excess  not  only  increases  the  fuel  consump- 
tion, but  also  throws  an  unnecessary  burden  on  the  condenser  system. 

"The  entrance  of  unnecessary  air  to  the  furnace  can  be  controlled 
partially  at  least  bj"  suitable  regulation  at  the  fire  door  and  other  open- 
ings into  the  combustion  chamber  and  also  by  careful  luting  about  the 
peep  holes,  or  any  cracks  in  the  furnace  walls.  Counterpoised  gates 
for  closing  the  openings  through  which  the  burnt  rock  is  withdrawn 
may  also  assist  in  this  direction.  The  object  to  he  attained  is  to  allow 
no  air  to  enter  the  furnace  except  at  the  comhusiion  chamber  and  tJiis 
in  sufficient  quantity  to  burn  the  fuel  completehj  but  no  more.  The 
problem  of  burning  wood  efficiently  closely  re.sembles  that  of  efficient 
use  of  bituminous  coal  in  a  boiler  plant.  The  fuel  should  preferably 
be  introduced  frequently  in  small  quantities  and  sufficient  air  admitted 
above  the  grate  immediately  after  the  addition  of  the  fuel  to  bui"n  the 
gases  distilling  from  the  wood.  As  the  charing  of  the  wood  advances 
the  air  supply  above  the  fire  should  be  reduced  and  more  air  admitted 
below.  It  is  recognized,  owing  to  the  variety  of  duties  which  the 
furnace  attendant  is  usually  called  upon  to  perform,  tliat  it  may  l)e  dif- 
ficult to  approximate  ideal  fire-box  conditions.  Some  ett'ort  in  tliis 
direction  seems  worth  whil(\  however,  as  incomplete  combustion  with 
the  attendant  formation  of  carbonaceous  soot  not  only  favors  the 
formation  of  mei'curial  soot  in  the  condenser  but  con.stitutes  a  waste  of 
fuel.     Objections  to  excess  of  air  have  been  iin'iitioiird  above." 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  241 

TOP  LOSSES. 

In  fine-ore  furnaces  of  the  Scott  type,  the  fine  material  in  the  throat 
and  hopper  serves  usually  as  an  effective  seal.  This  will  vary  some 
with  the  nature  and  dryness  of  the  ore  as  well  as  the  amount  of  really 
tine  material  in  the  mixture.  However,  the  precaution  should  be 
observed  of  keeping  the  hopper  full.  The  Innes  fume  trap  as  installed 
at  the  Oceanic  mine  is  effective.  This  has  been  described,  accompanied 
by  a  diagram,  by  Heberlein  f-  but  it  is  now  built  with  a  single  fume 
exit  between  and  serving  the  two  throats  of  each  furnace,  instead  of  an 
exit  for  each  throat  separately.  Also,  wood  is  used  in  the  construction, 
instead  of  cast  iron  as  there  shown.  This  resembles  an  arrangement 
utilized  at  Idria,  Austria,  described  by  Castek.^^ 

Referring  to  this  device  at  the  Oceanic  mine,  Duschak  observes  that 
it  is  "probably  useful  also  in  removing  water  vapor  which  escapes 
from  the  ore  as  it  descends  the  throat  of  the  furnace,  and  which  might 
otherwise  condense  in  the  cold  upper  layers  of  the  charge,  rendering 
the  ore  sticky  and  favoring  hang-ups. 

"A  study  was  made  of  the  volume  and  mercury  content  of  the  gases 
escaping  from  the  special  condensing  chamber  attached  to  the  fume 
trap  of  the  newer  of  the  two  50-ton  Scott  furnaces.  The  following 
data  were  obtained :  ■ 

Average  temperature  of  escaping  gas,  30°  C. 

Volume  per  minute  at  30°  C,  5  cu.  meters  (175  cu.  ft.). 

Mercury  loss  per  24  hours,  0.25  kg.  (0.55  lbs.)." 

ABSORPTION  AND  DISCHARGE  LOSSES. 

With  the  Scott  furnace,  carefully  operated,  there  should  be  practi- 
cally no  values  in  the  spent  ore  as  discharged.  With  care,'  it  is  a  rela- 
tively simple  matter  to  expel  all  of  the  quicksilver  from  the  rock.  If, 
however,  the  furnace  be  crowded  and  the  heated  rock  drawn  off  too  soon 
from  below,  there  will  be  values  remaining  in  it.  If  the  rock  be  still 
hot  enough  for  any  remaining  mercury  to  volatilize,  such  remaining 
metal  might  escape  into  the  air,  and  an  assay  of  the  tailings  might 
thereby  indicate  a  clean  'extraction',  though  obviously  not  a  clean 
recovery.  That  this  is  not  only  possible,  but  sometimes  does  occur,  is 
showTi  by  the  fact  that  the  draw-man  generally  wears  some  sort  of  nose 
and  throat  protection,  and  sometimes  they  have  been  salivated,  though 
not  often. 

The  investigations  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Mines  have  shown  the  stack 
fume  losses  to  be  much  smaller  than  it  had  been  expected  to  fiiid  them. 


'-Heberlein,  C.  A.,  The  mining'  and  reduction  of  quicksilver  ore  at  the  Oceanic  mine. 
Cambria,  Cal. :  Bull.  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  Feb.,  1915,  p.  500.  Also,  in  Trans.,  Vol.  LI, 
p.    113. 

■"Castek,  Franz,  Die  Bestlmmung  und  Verminderung  der  Verluste  beim  Queck- 
silberhuttenwesen :    Berg-    u.    Hiittenmannisches   Jahrbuch,    LVIII,    Band.   Wien,    1910. 

16—38540 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  243 

At  New  Idria.  on  0.7%  ore,  the  loss  was  but  4^  j)ounds  of  ({uicksilver 
per  24  hours  treating  75  tons  of  ore.  At  the  Oceanic  mine,  on  0.3% 
ore,  it  was  6^  pounds,  treating  90  tons.  Wliile  top,  stack,  and  discharge 
losses  are  controllable  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  there  is  one  form  of 
loss,  that  of  absorption,  which  is  impossible  to  measure  and  practically 
impossible  to  control  where  brick  or  stone  are  used  in  the  construction 
of  furnace  and  condenser  walls.  The  Scott  fine-ore  furnace  with  its 
usual  system  of  brick  condensers  is  notorious  for  its  hoarding  up  of 
absorbed  quicksilver.  Of  course,  it  is  not  an  ultimate  loss,  as  it  can 
some  day  be  recovered  by  wrecking  the  plant ;  but  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses, as  long  as  it  remains  there,  it  is  a  loss.  One  superintendent  who 
still  very  much  favors  the  Scott  furnace  recently  made  this  observation 
to  the  "writer :  "If  you  will  take  the  recovery  of  absorbed  mercury  from 
the  wrecking  of  a  given  plant,  and  divide  it  by  the  number  of  tons  of 
ore  which  passed  through  that  furnace  during  its  service,  you  will  find 
the  percentage  of  the  loss  very  small.  The  absorption  in  a  new^  plant  is 
considerable  in  the  first  three  or  four  months  of  operation ;  but  after 
that  it  reaches  a  point  of  saturation."  Any  absorption  is  a  loss,  and 
therefore  objectionable.  Its  extent  will  depend  on  the  construction  of 
the  plant.  Recent  improvements  in  condenser  construction,  discussed 
under  that  heading,  will  minimize  that  loss. 

It  seems  to  the  writer  that  the  point  of  saturation  may  often  be  a 
long  time  arriving,  especially  in  view  of  the  depth  to  which  quicksilver 
has  been  found  in  the  soil  and  earth  under  some  plants.  At  the  pres- 
ent time  at  New  Almaden,  they  are  recovering  quicksilver  to  a  depth  of 
30  feet  under  the  site  of  certain  of  their  old  furnaces.  The  earth  and 
gravel  there  are  literally  'alive'  with  globules  of  the  metal,  as  the 
accompanying  photograph  (No.  50)  shows.  A  tunnel  recently  run 
under  one  of  the  furnaces  at  New  Idria  shows  a  similar  condition  to 
exist  there  While  the  percentage  loss  may  be  small  as  suggested  above, 
tlie  uncertainty  of  it  is  in  the  apparent  inability  to  determine  currently 
what  it  is  or  to  control  it.  Here  again  enters  the  subject  of  technical 
control  of  operations,  of  which  we  have  already  mentioned  the  lack  in 
quicksilver  reduction  in  California.  Without  regular  sampling  and 
assaying,  it  is  impossible  to  know  what  a  plant  is  doing. 

COST   OF  OPERATING  A   SCOTT   FURNACE. 

The  costs  of  operating  a  Scott  furnace  plant  will  of  course  vary,  as 
they  will  vary  in  any  other  metallurgical  process,  with  local  conditions, 
tonnage  treated,  and  efficienc3^  Figures  of  from  50^  per  ton  to  75^ 
per  ton  have  been  given  for  plants  of  at  least  50  tons  daily  capacity, 
working  under  favorable  conditions  and  carefully  managed.  Smaller 
plants  and  those  less  favorably  situated  will  cost  more.  These  figures 
include  only  the  day-to-day  running  expenses.     They  do  not  include  any 


244  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

item  of  interest,  depreciation  or  amortization  on  the  high  initial  install- 
ation capital,  nor  for  repairs  and  general  overhead  charges.  Figured 
conservatively  these  may  total  anywhere  from  25^  to  50^  per  ton. 
Material  repairs  should  not  be  required  oftener  than  about  once  in  four 
or  five  years;  but  when  they  do  come  they  are  costly.  At  New  Idria 
the  lining  in  the  coarse-ore  furnaces  usually  lasts  three  years,  and  in 
the  fine-ore,  four  years.  It  is  usually  not  necessary  to  completely 
re-line,  nor  to  replace  all  of  the  tiles. 

At  the  Oceanic  mine,  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  the  direct  operating 
costs  as  recorded  by  Logan^*  in  November,  1915,  amounted  to  $0.57  per 
ton  with  a  50-ton  furnace ;  and  were  divided,  as  follows : 

3  furnacemen  @  $2.50 $7  50 

3  chargemen    @    $2.50 7  50 

1  foreman    4  50 

1    helper    --  2  00 

1  cord  pine  wood,  delivered 5  50 

Estimated  cost  of  soot  treatment  per  ton  of  ore,  $0.08  ;  per  day's  run, 

50  tons 1  50 


Total  cost  for  50  tons $28  50 

Present  costs  (September,  1917),  as  furnished  the  writer  by  ]Mr. 
Ellard  W.  Carson,  now  manager  of  the  Oceanic  INIine,  show  a  material 
increase  due  mainly  to  advances  in  wages.  There  are  now  two  50-ton 
furnaces,  treating  an  average  total  of  90  tons  dailj^,  and  the  items  are 
distributed  as  follows : 

3  furnacemen,  each,  i.  e.  6  @  $3 $18  00 

3  chargemen,  each,  i.  e.  6  @  $3 18  00 

1  foreman    5  00 

1  helper  2  75 

li  cords,  pine  wood,  each,  i.  e.  2i  cords  @.  $6.50 10  2."> 

Soot,  90  T.  @  $0.03 -' 2  70 


Total  cost  for  90  tons $62  70 

This  gives  a  per-ton  figure  of  $0,697,  to  which  should  be  added  the 
item  of  superintendence,  at  least,  as  the  owner,  Mr.  Murray  Innes,  does 
not  now  personally  supervise  operations  as  in  1915. 

At  the  Cambria  mine,  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  in  1915,  Carson^^ 

reported    the    following    cost    of    operating   a    50-ton    Scott    furnace : 

"Actual  operating  costs  treating  50  tons  per  daj^  on  a  basis  of  a  30-day 

month,  average  us  somewhat  under  $1000  per  month,  or  66|ff  per  ton 

This  cost  is  distributed  approximately  as  follows : 

"6  furnacemen  @  $2.50  per  day $450 

Foreman   and   overhead 210 


Total  labor $000 

Wood,  li  cords  per  day,  @  $6 270 

Miscellaneous    supplies   70 


$1,000 


"LoRan.  C.  A.,  in  Cal.  State  Mln.  Bur.,  Report  on  Mines  &  Minerals  of  Monterej 
etc.    counties,    1917,    p.    124. 

"Personal  correspondence  with  H.  G.  S.  Anderson  re  comparative  costs  of  a  we 
method  for  quicksilver. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  245 

"1500  tons  of  10-poimd  ore,  with  90%  extraction,  would  yii'ld  13,500 
pounds  of  quicksilver  at  a  cost  of  7.44  cents  per  pound.     *     *     * 
On  a  basis  of  a  100-ton  plant  treating  ten-pound  ore  in  a  Scott  furnace 
the  cost  of  production  should  not  exceed  8  cents  per  pound  for  the 
metallurgical  treatment.     *     *     *" 

In  1914,  a  certain  Scott  fine-ore  furnace  in  California  treated  22,000 
tons  of  ore  at  a  cost  of  $0,715  per  ton.  During  a  part  of  the  year  this 
furnace  was  idle  Avhile  being  repaired;  for  in  1915,  it  handled  27,000 
tons  at  a  cost  of  $0,652  per  ton.  These  figures  include  only  the  direct 
items  for  furnace  operation,  of  labor,  fuel,  supplies,  and  soot  treatment. 

PERCENTAGE   OF   EXTRACTION    OBTAINED    BY    SCOTT    FURNACES. 

Very  few  operators  really  know  what  their  furnaces  are  actually 
doing,  because  of  the  absence  of  systematic  sampling  and  assaying. 
Some  of  them  will  tell  you  that  because  of  the  erratic  nature  of  most 
quicksilver  deposits,  it  is  quite  impossible  to  accurately  sample  the  ores. 
It  should  not  be  any  more  'impossible'  than  on  an  ore  carrying  free  gold 
occasionally,  and  that  is  done  with  fair  precision,  daily,  in  many  local- 
ities. We  will  aclmowledge  that  it  is  a  difficult  matter  to  adequately 
and  accurately  sample  the  feed  of  a  coarse-ore  furnace,  but  it  can  be 
done ;  while  it  should  be  a  relatively  simple  matter  for  fine  ore. 
■  At  the  Cambria  mine  in  1915,  as  incidentally  mentioned  in  the  pre- 
ceding section  under  the  heading  of  costs,  Carson  credits  his  plant  with 
obtaining  90%  extraction.  At  the  present  time,  (October,  1917)  at 
the  Oceanic  mine,  his  practice  and  results  are :  The  head  sample  is  a  dip 
by  hand  with  a  small  scoop  from  each  bucket  of  the  aerial  tramway 
ju.st  after  loading  at  the  upper  terminal.  The  furnace  reject  is  sampled 
by  taking  a  shovel  full  from  each  third  car.  These  samples  are  cpiar- 
tered  down,  once  a  week,  and  sent  to  an  assaj'ing  firm  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. The  heads  are  averaging  0.26%  to  0.36%  mercury,  and  the  tail- 
ings 0.02%  to  0.03%.  This  is  an  indicated  extraction  of  91.7%.  It  is 
to  be  noted  that  these  heads  assays  are  made  on  dry  material,  whereas 
the  ore  as  it  reaches  the  furnace  carries  from  8%  to  10%  moisture. 

At  one  other  mine  in  California  where  sampling  and  assaying  is  at 
present  being  carried  out,  the  Scott  furnace  heads  for  the  month  of 
July,  1917,  averaged  0.66%  mercury  and  the  discharge  0.10%,  or  an 
indicated  extraction  of  84.8%.  For  the  month  of  August,  1917,  the 
heads  averaged  0.61%  Hg,  and  the  tails  0.069%  Hg,  an  indicated  extrac- 
tion of  88.6%.  This  plant  is  ec^uipped  with  an  electric,  indicating 
pyrometer,  so  that  a  careful  tab  is  kept  on  the  furnace  temperatures. 

At  one  mine  in  a  western  state  outside  of  California,  a  30-ton  Scott 
furnace  under  careful  supervision  during  a  short  period  of  operation  in 
1914,  is  stated  to  have  shown  an  indicated  extraction  of  86%  by  assays 
of  heads  and  tailings  samples,  on  a  0.36%  Hg  ore. 


246  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

These  are  all  favorable  cases,  at  well-eqnipped  and  carefully  super- 
vised plants,  and  their  results  are  undoul)tedly  nnich  better  than  the 
average.  These  figures,  too.  are  indicated  extractions,  not  cpiicksilver 
actually  bottled.  It  is  questionable  if  the  average  plant  as  ordinarily 
conducted  in  California  for  some  years  past,  has  been  recovering  75% 
of  the  value  in  the  ore. 

Egleston'"'  in  discussing  this  phase  of  quicksilver  operations,  says: 

"While  the  price  of  mercury  was  very  high  no  assays  of  any  kind  were  made  at 
the  mine.  The  superintendent  of  tlie  works  or  tlie  mines  judged  by  'experience'  that 
tlie  ore  contained  1,  2,  .3.  10,  or  20  per  cent.,  as  tlie  case  might  be.  Tliere  was  conse- 
quently very  little  dependence  to  be  placed  upon  any  statements  of  the  advocates  of 
the  different  kinds  of  furnaces  that  their  furnaces  actually  yielded  a  higher  per- 
centage than  tliose  of  their  neighbours,  or,  in  fact,  that  they  yielded  any  given 
percentage  at  all.  The  only  statement  that  could  be  relied  upon  was,  that  tliey  pro- 
duce in   twenty-four  hours  a  given  number  of  pounds  of  mercury." 

Also^'^ : 

"At  New  Almaden,  after  taking  a  sample  fiom  each  car-load  for  thirty-nine  days, 
they  report  their  loss  to  be  7.29  per  cent.  The  difficulty  of  sampling  ores  of  mercury, 
and  the  probability  of  getting  too  low  rather  than  too  high  an  average,  makes  the 
loss  appear  much  lower  than  it  really  is. 

"According  to  the  best  California  authorities,  the  loss  in  the  best  constructed 
furnaces,  as  near  as  can  be  approximated,  is  not  less  than  15  to  20  per  cent;  and  in 
many  works  the  loss  will  probably  amount  to  double  that.  In  the  best  works  it 
would  probably  cost  more  to  save  the  15  or  20  per  cent  loss  than  it  is  worth  ;  and 
the  works  which  are  not  well  managed  probably  could  not  save  it  at  all." 

Christy,  relative  to  condensation  at  New  Almaden,  in  discussing  losses 
of  treatment,  says  v'^ 

"There  is  perhaps  no  subject  on  which  greater  differences  of  opinion  exist,  than 
upon  the  losses  which  occur  in  roasting  quicksilver  ores.  These  losses  have  been 
variously  estimated  by  different  persons  at  all  the  way  from  50  per  cent  by  pessimistic 
critics  to  0.01  per  cent  by  optimistic  inventors. 

"Unfortunately  for  the  purpose  of  this  inquiry,  it  is  not  customary  at  New  Almaden, 
or  at  any  of  the  quicksilver  mines  of  California,  to  take  careful  and  systematic 
samples  for  assay,  as  is  done  at  Idria,  Austria.      *      *      * 

"Furthermore,  I  have  been  unable  to  find,  in  the  whole  range  of  quicksilver  litera- 
ture, any  adequate  determination  of  what  must  be  the  inferior  limit  of  the  losses  on 
the  plan  of  treatment  selected.  In  other  words,  there  is  at  present  no  criterion  by 
which  we  may  judge  as  to  whether  a  given  condensing  system  is  doing  the  best  that 
can  be  expected  of  it,  or  by  which  we  can  even  approximately  estimate  the  relative 
value  of  different  systems." 

Nor  has  anyone  seemed  to  try  or  to  bother  themselves  much  to 
improve  furnace  and  condenser  conditions  on  a  systematic,  .scientific 
basis  since  Christy's  experiments  at  New  Almaden,  until  the  pre.-ieut 
investigations  of  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Klines,  herein  recorded. 

Also,  he  concludes : 

"The  loss  [by  'vapor'  and  'mist']  is  dependent  on  the  volume  of  fumes,  at  the 
same  escape-temperature ;  and  the  latter,  of  course,  depends  on  the  amount  of  fuel 
and  ore  used,  and  not  on  the  riiMiness  of  the  ore.  Hence,  the  percentage-loss  will  be 
less  on  rich  tlian   on   pooi-  ore."      *      *      * 

=""As  a  minimum  net  loss  is  the  real  objective  point,  this  can  be  reached  only  by 
a  careful  adjustment  of  tliese  conflicting  losses  (i.e.,  fume  and  residue).  Thus,  with 
a  given  furnace  reducing  12  tons  per  24  hoiu-s  witji  a  residue  loss  of  0.5  per  cent, 
and  a  chimney-loss  of  10  per  cent  of  the  ore  content,  it  would  evidently  be  better  to 
treat  24  tons  per  24  hours  with  a  residue  loss  of  1  per  cent  and  a  cliimney  loss  of  6 
per  cent  of  the  ore  content;  for  in  tlie  fii-st  case,  the  losses  would  net  10.5  per  cent, 
and  in  the  latter,  7  per  cent.  Such  adjustments,  are,  however,  only  possible  where 
the  ores  and  residues  are  systematically  sampled  and  assayed." 


'"Kgleston,  T.,  The  Metallurgy  of  Silver,  Gold  and  Mercury  in  the  United  States. 
Vol.  II,  p.   S06,   1890. 

■''Op.  cit.  p.   899. 

■■''Clirist\-,  S.  B.,  Quicksilver  condensation  at  New  Almaden:  Trans.  Am.  Inst.  Min. 
Eng.,  Vol.  XIV,  p.   2:n,   1885. 

•■"■0;j.  Ht.  p.   264. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


247 


REVOLVING  FURNACES. 

A  revolving'  cement-kiln  tyi)e  ari-anged  for  quicksilver  ore  roasting 
has  in  the  past  been  tried  on  at  least  two  mines  in  California  with 
mainly  negative  results.  At  the  Socrates  mine,  Sonoma  County,  a 
White-Howell  rotary  roaster  was  installed  in  1903,''^  but  its  use  was  dis- 
continued after  a  short  period  of  operation.  It  was  50  feet  in  length, 
with  an  outside  diameter  of  5  feet,  and  lined  internally  with  6  inches 
of  fire-brick,  this  cylinder  being  set  on  an  incline  of  6  inches  in  50  feet. 


Photo  No.   51.     Rotary   Ore-drier  above   Scott  Furnace,   at   Socrates   Mine,    Sonoma   County. 

The  ends  of  the  furnace  were  fitted  into  sockets  or  collars  which  in 
turn  were  fastened  into  the  brickwork  of  the  stack  and  fire-box.  It 
was  driven  at  22  revolutions  per  hour,  b}^  a  25  h.  p.  engine.  This  car- 
ried the  ore  through  in  3f  hours,  and  1.6  cords  of  wood  were  consumed 
per  24  hours.  The  present  operating  company  has  recently  cut  down 
the  length  of  this  kiln,  and  re-installed  it  as  a  rotary  ore-drier  above  the 
new  40-ton  Scott  furnace.     (Photo  No.  51). 

Another  furnace  of  this  type  was  built  in  1911  at  tlu'  Aurora  mine,^' 
San  Benito  Count}',  but  owing  to  mechanical  difficulties  was  operated 


^''Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.  XC,  Jan.  14,  1005,  p.  22.  Also:  Forstner,  Wm.,  Quicksilver 
resources  of  California;  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  27,  p.   116,   litO.i. 

*'.See  the  author's  report  in  Minos  &  Mineral  resourses  of  Monterey  etc.  counties; 
Cal.  State  Mln.  Bur.,   1917,  pp.   57-58.     See  also  Photo  No.  IS,  ante. 


248 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


at  that  time  for  only  one  day.  Tn  October,  1915,  this  furnaee  was 
repaired  and  refitted  and  operated  for  a  few  weeks,  until  severe  winter 
storms  damaofed  the  roads  over  which  the  fuel-oil  supply  was  brought 
in.  Several  flasks  of  quicksilver  were  produced.  It  is  at  present 
reported  that  work  will  be  resumed  there  shortly. 

REVOLVING  FURNACES  AT  NEW  IDRIA. 

An  experimental,  revolving  unit,  (see  Photo  No.  52),  was  put  in 
operation  in  March,  1918,  at  the  New  Idria  Mine,  Sau  Benito  County, 
which  has  certain  new  accessory  features  connected  with  it,  by  which  it 
is  hoped  to  make  this  type  of  furnace  successful  for  the  treatment  of 


Photo   No.   52.      New    Rotary    Quicksilver    Furnace    at    New    Idria    Mine.    San    Benito    County, 
"after   58   days'   continuous  and   successful  operation."      Photo   by   H.   W.   Gould. 

quicksilver  ores.  Mr.  H.  W.  Gould,  general  superintendent,  considers 
that  the  rotary  has  great  possibilities.  Thus  far,  it  appears  that  their  cost 
is  one-fourth  to  one-half  that  of  the  Scott  per  ton-day-eapacity ;  con- 
sumption of  fuel  one-third  to  one-half;  labor  one-fifth  to  one-half.  It 
is  more  flexible  than  the  Scott,  the*  ore  passes  through  in  15  to  30  min- 
utes, with  all  of  the  mercury  apparently  expelled.  There  are  no 
a))sorption  losses  in  the  furnace,  as  all  the  brick  are  hot.  There  is  no 
personal  element  attached  to  the  rotary,  the  feed  and  discharge  being 
automatic,  as  against  the  irregularities  possible  with  the  hand  labor  on 
a  Scott.  Salivation  of  the  workmen  cannot  result  from  the  end  joints 
of  the  furnace,  because  of  the  inward  suction  due  to  the  stack  draft. 

This  first  furnace  at  New  Idria  is  4'  diam.  x  50'  long,  arranged  to 
drive  at  I-i  to  4  r.  ]).  in.,  and  a1  first  treated  96  tons  of  ly  ore  daily. 
At  present  writing   (Ai)ril,   191S)    it    is  liaiidliiig  72  tons  of  11"  ore. 


i 


1 


PLATE  XXXVI-A. 


p.  CIS   iKlii 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES. 


249 


i 


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QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


249 


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250  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

GoukI  thinks  that  ultimately  4"  1<»  1"  will  l)e  found  the  economic 
size  for  the  feed.  The  capacity  of  the  furnace  and  the  time  of  passage 
of  the  ore  through  it,  depend  on  the  speed  of  revolution  and  the  thick- 
ness of  the  stream  of  ore,  in  addition  to  the  size  of  the  ore  pieces.  A 
thin  stream  of  ore  revolving  rapidly  can  be  completely  burned  and 
l)as.sed  through  the  furnace  in  about  15  minutes;  but  a  thicker  stream 
must  be  run  more  slowl}^,  or  all  the  metal  will  not  be  driven  out  of  the 
rock. 

A  second  furnace  5'  x  56'  is  now  being  installed,  and  contracts  have 
been  let  for  4  others  of  the  same  dimensions.  It  is  too  early  yet  to  go 
further  into  the  details  of  this  installation,  and  its  operation,  but  it  is 
expected  that  with  the  financial  backing  of  such  a  company  and  the 
the  technical  advice  which  it  can  command,  that  the  device  will  be  given 
an  adequate  and  efficient  trial.* 

MULTIPLE-HEARTH   TYPE. 

The  earliest  furnace  of  this  type  was  the  McDougall,  but  the  later, 
improved  forms  include  the  Herresehoff  and  Wedge.  Some  of  the 
McDougall  pattern  are  water-cooled. 

A  Herresehoff,  mechanically  rabbled,  circular  furnace  has  been  in 
operation  over  a  year,  at  the  Senator  mine  of  the  New  Almaden  com- 
pany, Santa  Clara  County.  (See  Photo  No.  53.)  It  was  installed 
early  in  1916,  by  the  then  manager,  W.  H.  Landers,^-  who  also,  in  con- 
nection with  this  installation,  patented  certain  features  of  the  condenser 
system.  This  furnace  is  14  feet  inside  diameter  and  has  6  hearths,  plus 
a  drying  floor  on  the  top  (see  Photo  No.  54).  There  are  two  fire-boxes 
on  #5  hearth  (next  to  bottom)  level,  set  opposite  to  each  other.  On  #2 
hearth  level,  about  one-third  of  the  way  around  from  the  top  exit-pipe, 
a  third  fire-box  has  been  added  in  order  to  keep  the  temperature  of  the 
gases  above  600°  F.  while  going  through  the  Cottrell  dust  precipitator 
which  follows.  The  central  column  and  the  rabble  arms  are  air-cooled, 
the  resulting  hot  air  being  utilized  for  concentrate  drying  and  other 
purposes.  A  Brown  recording  pyrometer  is  connected  in  at  the 
furnace  exit  to  enable  regulation  of  the  funic  temperature. 


*Sinfe  the  above  wa.s  written,  Mr.  Coiilrl  has  very  kindly  loaned  the  writer  the 
drawins.s  of  tliis  new  plant,  and  its  provisional  tlow-.shoot,  with  permis.sion  to  repro- 
duce. Fortiniately,  it  was  not  too  late  to  include  them  hert-with.  (See  Plates 
XXXVI-A,  and  XXXVT-B.)  The  first  kiln  has  now  lieen  in  opin-ation  for  five  months; 
the  second  will  be  fired  up  early  in  August  ;  the  third  has  been  set  on  its  foundations, 
and   the  conci-ete  is  being  pouic^l   for  the  foundations  of  Nos.   4  and  5. 

The  buiner  (s<'e  Plate  XXXVI-A)  sets  in  an  air-tight  door.  Air  for  combustion 
is  allowed  to  enter  near  the  tailings  discharge-door  below,  and  must  pass  up  over  the 
hot  tailings  before  reaching  the  combustion  chamber,  being  thus  pre-heated.  At 
l>resent.  steam  is  used  for  atomizing  the  fuel-oil.  but  compressed  air  will  later  be 
substituted.  The  burned  rock  from  the  furnace  discharge  drops  into  an  inclined  bin 
built   of  concrete.— July   26.    1918. 

*-See  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.,  Vol.  102,  Oct.  7,   lOlfi,  p.   63-}. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


251 


This  furnace  is  stated  not  to  work  economically  on  material  coarser 
than  4  inch.  Up  to  58  tons  have  been  treated  in  24  honrs;  but  it  seems 
to  do  its  best  work  at  between  40  and  50  tons.  Feeding  and  discharg- 
ing are  both  automatic.  The  feed  hopper  is  shown  in  Photo  No.  54, 
while  the  honsing  for  the  discharge  may  be  seen  in  the  lower  left-hand 
corner  of  Photo  No.  55.  A  steel  ore-car  is  kept  under  the  discharge 
chnte.  and  when  filled  is  trammed  ont  by  hand  to  the  dump. 


Photo   No.   53.      Herreschoff    Multiple-hearth    Furnace   at    Senator    Mine    of    New 
Almaden    Company.    Santa   Clara   County. 

By  reason  of  the  dust  raised  and  thrown  into  the  fume  circulation  as 
the  ore  is  mechanically  scraped  from  one  hearth  to  the  next,  a  bother- 
some a<?cumulation  of  dust  was  at  first  obtained  in  the  condensers.  To 
correct  this  and  keep  the  dust  from  passing  into  the  condensers,  a  Cot- 
trell  fume  precipitator,  called  the  'hot  treater'  was  installed  between 
the  furnace  and  the  first  condenser.     (See  Photo  No.  35,  ante.)     To 


252 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


prevent  the  mercury  from  conden.sin<x  in  this  treater,  the  temperature 
of  tlie  gases  (as  already  mentioned)  is  kept  above  600°  F.  on  leaving 
the  furnace.  As  a  precaution  to  recover  any  quicksilver  which  might 
have  condensed  in  case  of  irregularities  occurring  in  the  furnace  oper- 
ation, the  hot-treater  dust  is  run  into  a  settling  tank  before  being  dis- 
charged to  the  dump.  Following  the  last  condensing  chamber  is  a  sec- 
ond Cottrell  precipitator  (Photo  No.  55),  called  the  'cold  treater,'  to 
throw  down  any  remaining  mercury  'mist'  in  the  fumes. 

The  fuel  consumption  of  this  furnace  is  stated  to  have  proven  rather 
high,  being  approximately  8  gallons  of  oil  per  ton  of  ore  treated,  as 


^^^i^-.S^M^'S^-'*-? 


Photo   No.    54.     Top,    or    Drying-hearth,    of   Herreschoff   Furnace.      Feed   hopper   is   seen   in 

upper  part. 

against  5-6  gallons  per  ton  for  a  50-ton  Scott  furnace.  The  installa- 
tion cost  of  the  multiple-hearth  type  of  furnace  is  niueli  less  than  the 
Scott,  being  stated  to  be  about  $20,000  for  a  100-ton  plant,  or  .$200  per 
ton-day  capacity  (1916;  but  for  1917  nearly  double  that).  The 
cheapest  operation  of  this  type  of  urnace  is  obtained  with  the  larger 
units  or  with  several  units  under  a  single  roof,  as  a  single  machinist 
can  attend  to  the  mechanical  features  of  several  units.  To  repair  the 
rabble  arms  or  other  parts  of  the  interior  mechanism,  the  furnace  must 
be  shut  down  and  cooled  off.  Tliis  is  apt  to  occur  oftener  than  interior 
repairs  are  required  in  a  Scott   ru]'nnc(\  though  Herreschoff  units  have 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


253 


been  in  operation  on  copper  ores  for  more  than  two  years  without  such 
repairs.  Another  furnace  of  the  multiple-hearth  type  which  might 
prove  adaptable  for  the  treatment  of  quicksilver  ores  is  the  Wedge 
muflfle-lired,  in  which  the  products  of  fuel  combustion  would  be  kept 
separate  from  the  distillation  fumes  from  the  ore.  This  feature  is  taken 
up  again,  elsewhere  herein,  under  the  subject  of  concentrate  reduction. 


Photo  No.   55.     Cottrell  Precipitator,   or   'Cold  Treater,'   at   Senator   Mine. 

It  is  Stated  that  an  82%  recovery  of  the  assay  value  of  the  feed  was 
obtained  with  this  furnace  for  the  4  months  ending  with  July,  1917. 
The  heads  a.ssayed  approximately  0.9%  mercury,  and  contained  from  3 
to  5  tons,  daily,  of  concentrates  assaying  up  to  4%,  which  were  mixed 
with  the  mine-run  ore. 

A  second  Herreschoff  furnace  was  installed  in  1916,  at  the  Goldbank 
quicksilver  mine,  near  Winnemucca,  Nevada.  It  is  stated  to  have  been 
in  successful  operation  for  a  number  of  months  up  to  June,  1917,  when 


254 


CALIFORNIA   STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


the  plant  was  destroyed  by  fire.  No  special  appliances  were  added  to 
take  care  of  dust,  from  which  it  is  inferred  that  the  Goldbank  ore 
yielded  too  small  an  amount  of  dust  to  interfere  with  condensation. 
Mr.  W.  G.  Adamson,  president  of  the  company,  states  that  .such  was 
the  case,  as  the  ore  is  a  quartzite  ( ?)  breccia,  recemented  by  silica,  and 
extremely  hard.      (See  p.  288.  post.)     Juniper  wood  was  used  for  fuel. 

DRYING  THE  ORE. 

Though  operators  may  differ  as  to  the  degree  of  drying  neces.sary 
before  charging  the  ore  to  the  furnace,  all  are  agreed  that  it  is  poor  pol- 
icy to  feed  wet  ore.  Moisture  not  onl}^  increases  the  amount  of  fume 
to  be  condensed,  and  seems  according  to  some  to  cause  part  at  least  of 


Photo  No.  56.  Scott  Furnace  and  Condensers  at  Klau  Mine,  San  Luis  Obispo  County.  Slop- 
ing top  of  condenser  chambers  was  covered  with  sheet-iron  and  used  as  an  ore  drier.  The 
enclosing  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  a  few  years  ago. 

the  mercury  to  form  a  mist  rather  than  larger  collectable  globules, 
but  it  also  forms  sulphuric  acid  which  attacks  the  condenser  walls  and 
floors.  Wet  ore  will  sometimes  hang  up  in  the  upper  part  of  the  fur- 
nace, and  in  barring  d(/wn  tliere  is  always  danger  of  breaking  tiles. 
Moisture  in  the  ore  results  in  a  larger  amount  of  condenser  soot,  and 
obviously  will  require  more  heat  to  bring  the  ore  to  the  distillation  tem- 
perature of  1lic  iii('i-(Mii-y.  ITcncc,  there  are  more  lifal  imils  t^  1k'  dis- 
sipated in  the  condenser  system.  Tliis  is  refcncd  lo  by  Dusehak  (see  p. 
289,  mite),  under  llie  lle;i(l  of  fuel  eoiisuinpt  ion. 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES. 


255 


At  the  Great  Eastern  mine,  near  Gnerneville,  Sonoma  County,  the 
ore  is  spread  out  on  a  sort  of  patio  and  dried  in  tlu'  sun,  while  some 
furnace  plants  have  iron  plates  covering  the  tops  of  the  first  condensers, 
on  which  the  ore  is  spread  before  charging.  Special  driers  are  used  in 
other  instances.  In  some,  where  steam  power  is  employed,  the  exhau.st 
steam  is  utilized  in  the  ore  drier.  At  the  St.  John's  mine,  near  Val- 
k\jo,  Solano  County,  Mr.  Clift'ord  G.  Dennis  has  built  an  ore  drier  of 
sheet  iron  (see  Photo  No.  57).  with  special  flue  arrangements  and  fired 


Photo   No.   57.      Ore   Drier  at   St.  John's   Mine,   Solano   County. 

by  crude  oil.  Rotary  ore  driers  are  in  use  at  the  Socrates  (see  Photo 
Xo.  51,  ante),  and  the  Guadalupe  mines;  while  at  New  Idria  a  special 
rotary  drier  removes  the  moisture  from  the  table  concentrates  before 
they  are  charged  with  the  fine  ore  to  the  Scott  furnace. 


CONDENSERS. 

Condensing  arrangements  for  retorts  are  relatively  simple;  but  witli 
the  large,  continuous-feed  furnaces,  both  coarse  and  fine-ore,  the  con- 
densers become  more  complicated  and  more  extensive.  Iron  condensers 
like  the  old  Knox-0.sborne  style  (see  Plate  XXXYII ;  also  Photo  No. 
58)  have  been  used,  and  though  of  small  capacity  may  do  with  non- 
pyritic  ores ;  but  if  appreciable  amounts  of  pj^rite  are  present,  the  .sul- 


256 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


i 


phuric  acid  formed  attacks  the  iron.  The  Cermak-Spirek  condenser^ 
is  a  similar  condenser,  made  with  cast-iron  pipes,  and  used  at  Monte 
Amiata,  Italy.  Up  to  quite  recently,  the  condensers  built  with  Scott 
furnaces  have  been  almost  entirely  of  brick.  (See  Photo  No.  7,  ante.) 
At  New  Idria  they  were  built  of  stone,  also  in  part  of  wood.  (Photo 
No.  59.)  Lately,  wood  has  been  substituted  for  their  construction  at  the 
Oceanic  mine,  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  the  New  Idria  mine,  San  Benito 
County,  the  ^tna  mine,  Napa  County,  and  at  the  Cloverdale  mine. 


PLATE  XXXVII 


f^ 


:J^  (i 


Knox  1  ronclad  Condenser. 


Sonoma  County.  At  New  Idria  the  round  form  is  being  adopted,  while 
at  the  other  three  they  are  built  rectangular.  Wood  has  the  advantage 
of  being  cheaper  to  build,  easier  to  clean  up,  and  absorbs  less  quick- 
silver. At  least,  where  they  absorb  quicksilver  (and  they  do,  more  or 
less),  they  are  easier  to  tear  down  and  run  through  the  furnace,  than 
those  of  brick  or  stone. 

Quicksilver  is  comparatively  easy  to  volatilize,  its  distillation  temper- 
ature being  360°  C.  or  680°  F.  The  Scott  furnace,  when  properly  con- 
structed and  carefully  operated  has  apparently  proven  to  be  an  efificient 


'Spirek,    Vincenzio,    The    quicksilver    Industry    of    Italy ;  '  Min.    Industry,    Vol.    VI, 

pp.   570,  576,   1898. 


(^.lU'KSllAKK    IJl'>()rK("KS. 


257 


flo'ent  for  expelling  this  metal  from  its  ores;  but  onee  we  have  this 
preeious  substance  in  its  vapor  form  the  fun  hegins  when  we  try  to  get 
it  bade  into  a  eolleetable  condition. 

Retort    condensers. 

With  retorts,  particularly  the  Johnson-^IcKay  arrangement,  fre- 
([ueiitly  the  condenser  is  simply  a  3^-inch  pipe,  7  feet  long  (see  Photo 
\o.  ti2i.  open  to  the  air,  as  at  the  Patriquin  mine,  ]\Ionterey  County; 
or  the  exit  ends  may  deliver  into  a  closed  box  (being  often  so 
arranged)  ;  or  further  elaborated  upon  and  extended  into  other  con- 
<]enser  chambers  and  tlues  with  a  circulatory  system  as  at  the  Sulphur 
Bank  mine.  Lake  County   (see  Photo  No.  63;  also  Photo  No.  41,  of 


Photo   No.    58.      Condensers   at    New   Mercy   (Pacific)    Quicksilver    Mine,    Fresno    County. 

^■Etna  mine  retort,  ante).  In  the  first  case  above-mentioned,  Patriquin 
considers  that  complete  condensation  is  obtained  with  the  arrangement 
as  it  stands.  He  points  to  the  fact  that  after  the  steam  ceases  to  come 
off  (about  45  to  60  minutes  after  charging),  that  the  condenser  pipe  is 
cool  up  to  within  18"  to  24"  from  the  retort  wall.  Also  that,  at  one 
time  for  awhile,  he  had  a  cover  over  the  ends  of  the  condenser  pipes  as 
a  safeguard  against  theft,  during  which  period  the  pipes  were  always 
hot  for  their  full  length,  and  mercurial  fumes  could  be  detected  coming 


17—38540 


258 


CALIFORNIA   teTATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


from  the  end  of  the  box.  With  the  present,  open  arrangement,  except 
for  the  steam  already  noted,  there  are  no  visible  fumes  nor  noticeable 
mercurial  odors.  It  does  not  seem  reasonable  to  expect  that  condensa- 
tion could  be  comph'te  in  .so  short  a  distance.  This  point  can  Ije 
definitely  determined  only  by  samplinu'  and  analyzing-  the  escaping 
gases  over  a  period  of  operation.     However,  the  volume  of  gas  to  be  ' 


Photo   No.   59.      Barrel  Condensers,  at  New  Idria   Mine.   San  Benito  County. 

cooled  from  a  retort  is  very  iimdi  less  in  i)roportion  to  the  tonnage  of 
ore  treated,  as  compai-ed  with  the  large  furnaces. 

Large  Chamber  Condensers. 

When  we  come  to  condensers  for  the  larger,  continuous-feed  furnaces 
(the  Scott  will  be  taken  as  typical,  as  there  are  more  of  them  in  use, 
and  the  condensing  problem  is  practically  the  same  for  all  the  large 
types,  both  coarse-ore  and  fine),  th(^  situation  become  more  complex. 
JTert!  we  have  to  deal  with  not  simi)ly  the  vapors  driven  out  from  the 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES 


259 


ore  mass,  but  mixed  with  them  are  the  products  of  fuel  combustion. 
The  questions  of  relative  sizes,  volumes  and  numbers  of  condensing 
chambers,  materials  for  their  construction,  gas  velocities,  and  temper- 
atures, become  essential.  So  far,  they  have  been  almost  entirely 
v.orked  out  on  the  'guess  and  try-on'  system..  Previous  to  the  investi- 
gations now  under  way  by  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Mines,  the  only 
attempt  at  scientific  research  in  California  in  this  direction  was  the 


Photo   No.   60.      Round,   Wooden    Condensers  at    New   Idria   Mine,    San   Benito    County. 


work  of  Christy  at  the  New  Almaden  mine  in  1883-1884  from  whom  we 
quote  the  following:*'^ 

..*  *  *  rpj^ig  quicksilver-fumes  furnish  often  less  than  1  per  cent,  by  volume,  of 
the  pro(Juct.s  of  combustion  with  which  they  are  mixed.  Even  the  weight  of  the 
quicksilver  is  inconsiderable,  compared  with  that  of  the  gases  which  pass  through 
the  condensers.  At  New  Almaden  it  is  only  about  2  per  cent  of  the  latter.  *  *  * 
The  minute  condensed  globules  of  liquefied  quicksilver  are  likely  to  be  carried  off  in 
the  form  of  mist.  The  gases  which  escape  from  the  condensing  system,  are  neces- 
sarily saturated  with  quicksilver  vapor  at  the  temperature  of  escape.  Then  there  is 
the  ever-present  mercurial  soot,  which  requires  separate  treatment.  The  quicksilver 
itself  is  ready  to  escape  from  any  crack  or  crevice  of  the  condensers,  either  as  a 
liquid  or  as  vapor.  *  *  *  Finally,  as  soon  as  the  condensers  become  cool  enough 
to  act  effectively,  they  are  attacked  by  the  diUite  sulphuric  acid  formed  from  the 
o.xidation  of  the  sulphurous  acid  in  the  fumes.  This  agent  slowly  attacks  and 
destroys  almost  every  material  out  of  which  the  condensers  can  be  made.  Tlie  use 
of  lead  is  of  course  out  of  the  c[uestion,  as  that  would  be  attacked  by  the  quicksilver 
itself. 

"The  system  in  use  at  New  Almaden  is  based  on  the  following  well-known  prin- 
ciples : 

"1.  Cooling  of  the  furnace-fumes  by  contact  with  large  radiating  surfaces  exposed 
to  air  and  water. 


*"Christy,  S.  B.,  Quicksilver  condensation  at  New  Almaden  : 
Eng.,  Vol.  XR',  p.  207,  18S5. 


'Pi-ans.,   .\m.  Inst.   Min. 


260 


CALIFORNIA   SiTATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


Photo   No.   61.     Rectangular,   Wooden   Condenser   and   Flue, 

San   Luis   Obispo   County. 


at   Oceanic    Mine, 


"2.  Sedimentation  of  the  condensed  quiclisilver  particles  in  enlarged  chambers 
whefe  the  velocity  of  the  gaseous  mi.Kture  is  reduced. 

"3.  Constant  exposure  to  friction-surfaces,  cross-currents  and  vortex-motions  to 
remove  the  globules  of  metal  by  calling  into  play  the  force  of  adhesion." 

41"*  *  *  brick  condensers  cannot  be  regarded  as  very  effective  cooling  agents. 
Tlie  brick  is  among  the  worst  conductors  of  heat,  and  it  is  found  unsafe  to  build  the 
walls  thinner  than  nine  inches.  Besides,  the  mortar  is  slowly  attacked  by  the  acid 
fumes;  gypsum  and  other  sulphates  being  formed.  These  salts  crystallize  between 
the  bricks,  so  that  in  some  cases  the  walls  of  the  older  condensers  have  been  so  bent 
out  of  shape  by  this  cause  as  to  be  unsafe.  The  bricks  themselves  are  often  attacked, 
and  some  of  the  outside  walls  of  the  old  condensers  are  wliitened  by  thick  crusts  of 
sulphates." 

4.-,<.«  ♦  ♦  J),  j^j^j.  long  Vieen  noticed  at  New  Almaden  that  the  rapidity  of  condensa- 
tion depends  not  only  upon  the  cooling-surface  and  sedimentation  volume,  but  also 
upon  the  area  of  friction — or  adhesion — surface  to  which  the  fumes  are  exposed. 
*  *  *  The  utility  of  eddies  and  cross-currents  in  the  fimies  themselves  has  also 
been  well  recognized." 

His  conchisioiis'""'  rcljitivi^  to  qnipk-silvcr  ooiulonsntidn  are  snniniod  up. 
as  follows: 

"1.  The  volume  of  prmiianrnt  fjnscs  j)a/<sinff  throufjh  the  condoiscrs  should  be 
reduced  to  a  ininiiiiiun.  The  rc(hirtion  in  the  vaiior  loss  would  be  in  the  direct  ratio 
of  this  reduction,  and  the  reduction  of  the  liiist  loss  in  a  greater  ratio.     ♦      •     *     In 


**Idem,  p.  212. 
^'•Idem,  p.  219. 
^"Op.  cit.,  pp.   253- 


255. 


^ 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


261 


addition,  the  reduction  of  the  amount  of  permanent  gases  would  also  reduce  the 
number  of  heat  units  that  must  be  removed  by  the  condensing  system.  *  *  *  [The 
minimum  volume  of  permanent  gases  is  governed  by  the  amount  of  air  necessary  to 
produce  complete  combustion  of  the  fuel.] 

"2.  Xext  in  impoi-tance  is  sufficient  vohiDie  for  sedi)nentation,  and  surface  for 
friction  and  cooling  action.  *  *  *  It  would  seem  possible  to  make  some  reduction 
in  *  *  *  [mist  loss],  by  reducing  the  velocity  of  escape,  and  by  the  use  of  greater 
friction  surfaces.      •      *      * 

"3.  The  temperature  of  escape  should  not  exceed  15°  or  20°  C.  *  *  *  As  a 
cooling  agent,  water  is  the  best,  either  as  a  bath  about  iron  condensers,  or  better,  as 
a  sprav  in  a  current  of  air,  so  as  to  utilize  the  evaporation  of  the  water.  Sprays 
coming'  in  contact  with  the  fumes  have  never  been  successful,  on  account  of  the 
difficulty  of  separating  the  iloured  quicksilver  from  the  water. 

"Air  is  the  cheapest  cooling  agent,  and  the  condensers,  where  not  water  cooled, 
should  be  so  constructed  as  to  secure  a  strong  natural  circulation  of  the  air  about 
them. 


Photo   No.   62.     Condenser    Pipes    of   Johnson-McKay    Retorts    at    Patriquin    Mine, 

Monterey   County. 

"4.  Material  for  construction.  There  is  a  fine  field  for  invention  in  the  discovery 
of  some  substance  strong  enough  to  be  made  very  thin,  a  good  conductor  of  heat, 
which  will  resist  abrasion  and  the  alternate  action  of  heat  and  cold,  without  crackmg 
or  leakage,  and  which  will  resist,  at  the  same  time,  the  action  of  quicksilver  and 
warm  dilute  sulphuric  acid.     *      *      * 

"5.  Next  nuist  be  mentioned  the  use  of  an  artificial  draft.  This  is  all  the  more 
necessary  as  the  cooling  of  the  gases  becomes  more  perfect,  and  their  temperature 
approaches  that  of  the  outside  air.  Auxiliary  fire-places  and  steam-jets  *  *  * 
are  wasteful  of  power  and  heat  the  hill-side  flues,  putting  an  effectual  stop  to  further 
condensation.     A    simple    suction    fan     *      *      *      is    the    best    arrangement.  * 

more  draft  than   is  necessary  to  maintain   combustion   and   to   protect   the   men   from 
salivation   should  not  be  used,   as  the  chimney  loss  would  be  thus  increased. 

"6.  The  condensers  shotild  be  easily  and  completely  cleaned  icithout  interrupting 
the  action  of  the  furnaces.     *      *      *" 

Scott  considers'*' 

"the    condensing   room    required    for   a    4  0-ton    furnace    17.000    cubic    feet,    and    for  _a 
50-ton  furnace,   20,000   cubic  feet,  which  must  be  increased  as  the  ore  diminished  in 


"Forstner,  ^^'m.,  Quicksilver  Resources  of  California:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  27, 
p.   246,   1903. 


262 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


grade.  *  *  *  in  tliis  data  for  furnace  No.  1  at  New  Alniaden,  the  totals  are : 
Path  of  vai)ors  from  furnace  to  top  of  chimney,  about  1000  feet  ;  interior  volume, 
2G,G67  cubic  fci't  ;  coolins'  area,  18,653  square  feet;  ratio  of  cooling  area  to  interior 
volume  is  ().6H.  It  must  be  remarked  tliat  the  brick  condensers  give  only  a  ratio  of 
0.5.  In  the  brick  condensers  at  present  [1903]  built  by  Robert  Scott,  the  interior 
volume  is  about  IDiiT  cubic  feet  ;  the  cooling  area,  922.5  square  feet ;  giving  about  the 
same   ratio." 

At  various  times  and  places,  the  use  of  a  spray  of  water  has  been 
tried  in  quicksilver  condensers,  both  with  retorts  and  the  large  furnaces. 
The  chief  objection  to  this  method  is  that  a  noticeable  portion  of  the 
quicksilver  is  'floured',  tliat  is,  condensed  into  sucli  extremely  tine 
globules  that  it  tioats  away  on  the  water.  This  effect  was  noted  hy 
Goodyear*^  in  1871,  as  having  been  observed  at  New  Almaden. 


Photo   No.   63.      Condenser  System  on  Johnson-McKay  Retorts  at  Sulphur   Bank   Mine, 

Lake   County. 

Materials  for  condenser  construction. 

As  to  materials  for  construction  of  condensers,  ii-ou  is  of  course,  the 
best  radiator  of  heat,  but  is  too  readily  attacked  by  dihite  sulplinric 
acid,  as  already  noted.  C.  G.  Dennis  at  the  St.  Jolm's  mine,  Solano 
County,  says  that  he  has  found  vitrified  sewer-pipe  the  best  for  con- 
densers; that  it  is  a  good  radiator  (being  sufficiently  thin)  and  re.si.sts 
tlie  action  of  acids,  the  principal  objection  licing  the  difficulty  of  obtain- 
ing it  in  as  larcfe  sizes  as  desirable.     It  has  l)een  in  use  for  a  numl)er 


'Troodvear,  W.  A.,  Report  on  an  examination  of  the  (|uicksilver  mines  of  California 
Geol.  .Surv.  of  Cal.,  Oeol.  vol.  IL  p.   122,   1S82. 


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264 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


of  years  at  various  quicksilvfi-  i^lants  for  flues  between  condenser  units. 
It  is  liable  to  crack  when  subjected  to  changes  of  temperature.  Sewer- 
pipe  flues  connect  the  iron  chambers  in  the  series  now  in  use  ;il  the  new 
plant  of  the  JEtna  mine,  Napa  County  (see  Photo  No.  64;,  and  the 
brick  with  #1  vertical,  Avood-stave  chamber  at  the  New  Idria  mine.  San 
Benito  County  (see  Photo  No.  65). 

Window-glass^"  was  tried  at  one  time  at  New  Almaden.  Wood  has 
been  tried  in  a  number  of  forms  for  years  at  dilferent  mines  (for  the 
most  part  as  flues  (see  Photo  No.  26,  ante),  but  the  development  of  the 


Photo   No.   64.      Condensers   and    Vitrified-pipe    Flues   at    Aetna    Mine,    Napa    County. 

large  rectangular,  wooden  chambers  now  being  adopted  at  several  Cali- 
fornia properties,  we  believe  is  largely  creditable  to  Murray  Innes  who 
began  such  construction  at  the  Oceanic  mine,^''  San  Luis  Obispo  County, 
several  years  ago.  Both  redwood  and  pine  are  utilized.  A  horizontal, 
barrel-form  of  wood-stave  con.struetion  (Photo  No.  59.  ante)  has  been 
in  service  for  some  years  at  the  New  Idria  mine,  and  was  described  by 
the  writer"^'  in  a  recent  report.  Tliese  will,  in  the  near  future,  be 
replaced  b}-  tlie  new,  vertical,  circular  form  (see  Photo  No.  60.  ante), 
which  has  so  far  given  very  satisfactory  service.     Those  shown  in  the 


"Chrl.st.v.   op.  cit..  pp.   217-218. 

""r.'il.  St.ato  Min.  Bur.,  Report  on  M.  &  M.  of  Monterey,  et  .al.  Counties,  1017,  p.  12:;. 

"'filoii.  pp.  72,  73. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


265 


illustration  have  a  fiat  bottom  which  must  be  scraped  by  hand  in  clean- 
ing-up.  They  are  set  up  on  posts  about  3'  oflt'  the  concrete  floor  which 
is  laid  underneath  to  catch  any  metal  from  leaks.  In  future,  any 
others  built  will  have  a  sloping  bottom,  so  as  to  obviate  the  necessity  for 
scraping.  The  vertical  form  takes  up  less  ground  space,  and  the  sides 
are  very  easily  cleaned  down  by  hosing  with  water  under  pressure, 
(which  was  being  done  at  the  time  the  photograph,  No.  65,  w^as  taken). 
There  are  no  dead,  square  corners. 


Photo   No.   65.      Condenser    Flues — Vitrified    Pipe    (lower),    and    Wood-stave    (upper), — at    New 

Idria    Mine,    San   Benito    County. 

Of  course,  wood  can  be  used  for  the  construction  of  only  those  units 
far  enough  removed  from  the  furnace  that  the  temperature  of  the  gases 
will  not  burn  or  char  the  Avood.  This  means,  usually,  all  but  the  first 
chamber  next  to  the  furnace. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  of  recent  developments  concerned  with 
condensation,  at  the  New  Idria  mine,  is  the  introduction  of  a  stream  of 
cold,  moist  air  into  the  flue  leading  from  the  first,  brick  condenser  to 
the  first  of  the  wooden  series.  A  No.  5  Sturtevant  blower  draws  air 
through  a  wet  burlap  and  water-spray,  and  the  discharge  pipe  leads 
directly  into  the  vitrified-pipe  flue  just  outside  the  exit  from  ^1  brick 
condenser.     This  creates  the  draft  needed  in  the  circulation  svstem. 


266  CATJF(1RXI.\    STATF    :\rTNING  BUREAU. 

besides  the  cooling  effect.  That  tli<'  mercurial  vapors  should  be  cooled 
as  soon  as  possible  after  they  have  left  the  furnace  proper  needs  no 
argument;  and  the  result  in  this  New  Idria  installation  has  proven 
almost  instantaneous  and  striking.  The  bulk  of  the  quicksilver  yield 
of  #1  Scott  furnace  is  now  obtained  from  #1  wooden  condenser, 
whereas  formed}^  it  was  scattered  through  several.  It  is  stated  that  a 
recent  attempt  to  introduce  air  into  one  of  the  condensers  at  the 
Oceanic  mine,  resulted  in  a  considerable  increase  of  soot ;  but  the  details 
of  the  introduction  were  arranged  differently. 

At  first  glance,  it  would  seem  an  unnecessary  multiplication  of  units 
to  have  so  many  chambers  in  the  condensing  system,  and  that  if  one 
large  chamber  could  be  built,  the  collection  and  clean-up  phases  of  the 
process  would  be  materially  simplified.  A  single  collecting  kettle  for 
the  quicksilver  would  then  suffice.  This  certainly  Avould  simplify 
working  conditions,  and  reduce  operating  expenses ;  but  according  to 
Christy,  already  cited,'^  and  Egleston^'*  the  efficiency  and  rapidity  of 
condensation  are  noticeably  increased  by  friction  surfaces,  eddies,  and 
o])structions  to  the  gas  flow.  This  same  effect  has  been  noted  recently 
by  Duschak^'^  in  the  course  of  his  investigations.  He  contributes  the 
following  on  condensation  to  the  present  report : 

"General  considerations. 

"The  recovery  of  (juicksilver  from  furnace  gases  involves  two  dis- 
tinct operations:  First,  the  cooling  of  the  gases  to  a  point  at  which 
practically  all  the  quicksilver  vapor  will  condense  as  liquid ;  and  sec- 
ond, the  collection  of  the  liquid  droplets  suspended  in  the  gas  stream. 
In  practice  these  two  operations  take  place  simultaneously  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  but  it  is  believed  that  in  the  designing  of  condenser 
systems  the  advantage  of  regarding  the  recovery  process  as  consisting 
essentially  of  the  above  two  operations  has  hot  in  all  cases  been  fully 
appreciated. 

"Condensation   process. 

"Under  present  practice  the  initial  cooling  of  the  gases  amounting  to 
70  to  100°  C.  is  usually  accomplished  in  a  brick  condenser.  Beyond  this 
point  the  further  cooling  of  the  gases  to  about  40-.,  at  which  temper- 
ature the  mercury  in  the  form  of  vapor  is  entirely  negligible  as  will 
be  seen  by  reference  to  Colunui  "B"  of  the  chart  (Plate  XXXVI),  is 
accomplished  in  wooden  or  a  combination  of  masonry  and  wooden 
chambers.  However,  as  the  initial  cooling  condenses  fully  80  to  90% 
of  the  mercury  vapor,  the  principal  function  of  the  condenser  system 
beyond  the  first  brick  condenser  is  that  of  collecting  the  fine  mercury 
droplets  suspended  in  tlic  furnace  gases. 


'"iTran.s.  Am.  In.st.  Min.   KiiK..  Vol.  XIV.  pp.   207.   219.   ISS.'k 

•■"ERle-ston.  T..  MetallurKy  of  Gold.  Silver  and  Mercury,  Vol.   2.  p  897,   1890. 

"'■Personal   convei-salion  with   tlio  writer. 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  267 

''Red  Itrick.  owing  to  its  ability  to  withstand  tlic  temperature 
involved  as  well  as  its  moderate  resistance  to  acid  and  also  because  a 
supply  can  usually  be  secured  at  moderate  price,  has  been  the  common 
material  of  construction  for  the  first  section  of  the  condenser  system. 
Red  brick  is,  however,  a  poor  conductor  of  heat  and  as  the  principal 
function  of  the  first  section  of  the  condenser  is  that  of  a  cooler,  it  is 
believed  that  sufficient  attention  has  not  been  given  to  the  use  of  other 
materials.  Stoneware  pipes  have  been  employed  for  this  purpose  in 
Austria  and  Italy  for  at  least  fifteen  years  and  the  possible  applica- 
tion of  the  new  corrosion  resisting  cast  iron,  such  as  Corros-iron  and 
Dur-iron  should  not  be  overlooked. 

"Recovery  of  mercury  mist. 

''As  has  been  pointed  out  above,  the  principal  function  of  the  part 
of  the  condenser  system  more  remote  from  the  furnace  is  primarily 
that  of  collecting  the  mercury  particles  suspended  in  the  gas  stream. 
This  problem  resembles  in  many  ways  that  of  collecting  dust  and  fume 
in  connection  with  copper  and  lead  smelting  for  which  purpose  the  fol- 
lowing devices  have  been  employed: 

1.  Expanded  sections  of  flue  with  or  without  baffles. 

2.  Bag-house  filtration. 

3.  Electrical  precipitation  by  the  Cottrell  process. 

"Bag-house  filtration  of  quicksilver  flue  gases  is  scarcely  practical 
owing  to  the  large  amount  of  water  mist  which  they  carry  and  also  the 
presence  of  sulphuric  acid.  Some  types  of  mineral  filtering  medium 
might  be  employed  but  the  cost  of  installing  and  operating  would  prob- 
ably be  found  excessive. 

"Electrical  precipitation  which  has  been  for  some  time  a  matter  of 
standard  practice  in  various  metallurgical  and  other  industrial  oper- 
ations can  be  readily  applied  to  quicksilver  /lue  gases.  It  offers  a 
highly  efficient  means  of  removing  all  suspended  mercury  particles 
from  the  gases  and  its  use  in  this  connection  has  already  been  demon- 
strated, as  is  mentioned  elsev.'here  in  this  bulletin.  Assuming  that  an 
effective  system  for  cooling  the  gases  is  available,  the  use  of  electrical 
precipitation  would  permit  the  quicksilver  to  be  recovered  by  an  install- 
ation requiring  little  space  as  compared  with  the  usual  types  of  con- 
denser system,  thereby  reducing  the  danger  of  mechanical  loss  in  pro- 
portion to  the  reduction  in  area.  The  decision  as  to  whether  electrical 
precipitation  can  be  advantageously  employed  must  be  arrived  at 
through  consideration  of  the  cost  of  its  installation  and  operation  and 
the  increased  efficiency  of  recovery  as  compared  with  other  available 
methods.  These  several  factors  will  vary  considerably  with  local  con- 
ditions, but  it  may  be  said  in  general  they  will  be  relatively  more 
favorable  to  the  use  of  electrical  precipitation  in  the  larger  plants. 


268  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

"It  will  be  recognized  that  tlie  first  method  mentioned  a])ove  is  the 
one  in  general  use  at  quicksilver  plants  at  present,  but  in  its  applica- 
tion full  advantage  does  not  appear  to  have  been  taken  of  the  consid- 
erable amount  of  work  which  lias  ])een  done  upon  this  problem  in  con- 
nection with  other  lines  of  metallurgy.  In  the  design  of  n  settling  sys- 
tem, the  object  is  to  cause  the  suspended  droplets  to  unite  with  one 
another  or  impinge  upon  the  surface  exposed  within  the  chamber  by 
taking  advantage  of  gravitational  action  and  particularly  of  the 
momentum  of  the  suspended  particles  which  can  be  utilized  through 
changing  the  velocity  and  the  direction  of  the  gas  stream.  An  elabor- 
ate series  of  experiments  along  this  line  were  conducted  at  the  Great 
Falls^'^  plant  of  the  Anaconda  Copper  Mining  Company  several  years 
ago.  Experiments  were  made  with  an  unobstructed  section  of  settling 
flue  and  with  the  flue  equipped  with  the  following  types  of  baffling 
devices : 

1.  Surface   plates. 

2.  Wide  baffle  plates. 

3.  Narrow  baffle  plates. 
■4.  Constrictions  in  flue. 
5.  Wire  baffles. 

The  surface  plates  were  thin  metal  sheets  hung  parallel  to  the  direc- 
tion of  the  gas  stream.  The  baffle  plates  were  similar  strips  of  metal 
hung  at  right  angles  to  the  gas  stream.  The  wire  baffles  consisted  of 
lengths  of  No.  7  B  &  S  gauge  copper  wire  hung  vertically  2  to  2.25 
inches  apart.  A  careful  analysis  of  the  results  of  these  tests  as  regards 
amount  of  dust  collected,  interference  with  draft  and  other  important 
factors,  including  cost  of  construction,  lead  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
wire  baffles  were  most  effective,  and  the  huge  flue  system  of  the  Great 
Falls  Smelter  was  built  in  accordance  with  these  conclusions.  It  is  to 
be  pointed  out  that,  while  this  type  of  catchment  system  is  fairly  eft'ec- 
tive  in  copper  and  lead  smelting  in  collecting  the  coarser  suspended 
particles  or  so-called  flue  dust,  it  is  far  from  effective  in  collecting  the 
finer  particles  or  so-called  fume,  for  the  recovery  of  which  bag-house 
filtration  and  electrical  precipitation  are  now  in  common  use. 

"Our  observations  in  the  field  and  experimental  study  of  fume  losses 
in  connection  with  Scott  furnace  operations  whit-h  is  mentioned  again 
later  on,  indicate  that  the  loss  of  mercury  llirough  the  escape  of  fume 
from  the  condenser  systems  now  in  common  use  is  in  general  not  large. 
Improvement  in  the  recovery  .system  is  therefore  to  be  sought  in  the 
direction  of  reduction  in  size,  which  is  impoi-tant  because  of  the  cor- 
responding decrease  in  the  danger  of  leakage,  in  the  amount  of  metal 
tied  up  in  the  system  and  also  in  the  expense  of  the  periodic  clean-ups. 


"Goodale,   C.   W.   and  KloT)inK<'r,  J.  TT.,  The  Groat  Fall.s  flue  .system  and  chimney: 
Trans.  Am.  In.st.  Min.  Enp.  Vol.   -Ifi.  p.   '>fi". 


\ 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  269 

"The  small  fume  loss  just  referred  to  does  not  necessarily  mean  that 
there  are  very  few  extremely  fine  particles  of  quicksilver  formed  in  the 
condensers,  but  is  to  be  explained  rather  on  the  ground  that  owing  to 
the  large  amount  of  water  vapor  present  these  minute  quicksilver 
particles  become  rapidly  weighted  with  water  which  condenses  on  them 
as  nuclei.  This  type  of  suspended  matter  is  in  general  easier  to  recover 
than  dry  dust  particles  which  do  not  readily  adhere  to  one  another  or 
surfaces  with  which  they  come  in  contact.  The  suggestion  then  which 
may  be  taken  from  the  Great  Falls  practice  is  that  something  resembling 
a  wire-baffle  fume-chamber,  which  for  quicksilver  practice  might  take 
the  form  of  a  redwood  box,  with  narrow  strips  of  redwood  suspended 
within,  might  effectively  replace  a  considerably  larger  volume  of  open 
settling  chambers.  Probably  the  more  valuable  conclusions  to  be 
drawn  from  these  Great  Falls  experiments  are  rather  of  a  negative 
character  in  indicating  the  lines  along  which  efforts  for  the  improve- 
ment of  recovery  systems  are  likely  to  be  unproductive. 

"Draft  regulation. 

"Under  usual  furnace  practice  a  slight  positive  pressure  exists  in 
the  furnace  exit  pipes,  but  beyond  this  point  a  negative  pressure  or 
in-draft  is  found  throughout  the  condenser  system.  Some  operators 
are  inclined  to  favor  a  slight  positive  pressure  in  at  least  the  first  part 
of  the  condenser  system,  but  this  seems  scarcely  advisable  as  a  small 
iuleakage  of  cold  air  will  cause  very  little,  if  any,  increase  in  the  usually 
negligible  ciuicksilver  loss  from  a  stack,  whereas,  the  escape  of  gas 
from  the  condenser  system  inevitably  involves  a  certain  loss  of  metal. 
When  the  gas  passages  and  connecting  flues  are  of  liberal  dimensions 
a  condenser  system  can  be  operated  with  surprisingly  little  draft.  At 
one  plant  a  maximum  of  0.1  centimeter  of  water  was  observed  and  at 
another  the  maximum  was  1  centimeter  of  water.  Occasional  observa- 
tions of  the  draft  at  above  points  along  the  condenser  system  will  be 
found  useful  as  a  control  over  its  operation  and  will  furnish  a  ready 
means  of  detecting  any  partial  stoppage  of  the  gas  passages.  Owing 
to  the  small  pressures  involved,  an  inclined  U-tube  or  Ellison  gauge 
giving  a  multiplication  of  ten  or  twenty  times  is  necessary." 

"Fume  loss  from  stack. 

"Among  tbe  possible  sources  of  loss  of  mercury  from  the  condenser 
system,  the  escape  of  the  metal  from  the  stack  in  the  form  of  vapor  and 
fume  has  received  considerable  attention  from  some  operators  in  the 
last  year  or  two.  First,  as  to  the  possi1)ility  of  vapor  loss ;  taking  40° 
C.  as  a  representative  .stack  temperature  it  will  be  ob-served  by  refer- 
ence to  the  chart  (Plate  XXXVI)  ^  that  0.00007  kilograms  of  mercury 
are  required  to  saturate  one  cubic  meter  of  air  measured  at  0°  when 


'  See  p.   2  ns,  nut  p. 


270  CAl.ll'ORMA    STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

heated  under  constant  pressure  to  40°  C.  Assuming,  in  line  with 
previons  discussion,  that  TiOO  cubic  meters  of  gas  measured  at  0°  C.  and 
atmosplierie  pressure  leave  the  furnace  per  metric  ton  charge,  only 
0.035  kilograms  mercury  are  required  to  saturate  this  volume  of  gas. 
This  corresponds  to  0.0035%  of  the  weight  of  the  ore  which  would  be 
only  1%  of  the  mercury  content  of  about  the  lowest  grade  ore  charged 
to  furnaces  at  present.  With  a  stack  temperature  of  60°  C.  the  vapor 
loss  would  be  four  times  as  great,  corresponding  under  the  above 
assumption  as  to  volume  of  gas  leaving  the  furnace  per  ton  of  charge 
to  7.5  kilograms  or  16.5  pounds  of  mercury  per  day  for  a  50-ton 
furnace.  This  loss  will,  of  course,  increase  as  the  volume  of  gas  leav- 
ing the  furnace  increases  and  also  probably  to  a  somewhat  lesser  extent 
in  proportion  to  the  air  leaking  into  the  condenser  system. 

"A  series  of  actual  determinations  of  vapor  and  fume  loss  was  car- 
ried out  at  two  plants.  These  determinations  involved  an  accurate 
sampling  of  the  stack  gases  and  a  measurement  of  the  volume  of  gas 
leaving  the  stack.  In  one  case  the  stack  carried  the  gases  from  a  single 
Scott  furnace  treating  about  70  tons  of  material  averaging  lf(  mer- 
cury and  in  another  case  the  gas  stream  sampled  was  derived  from  the 
treatment  of  about  100  tons  of  lower  grade  ore.  The  stack  temper- 
ature ranged  from  30"  to  50°  C.  The  maximum  loss  observed  amounted 
to  about  3.5  kilograms  (7.7  pounds)  in  24  hours.  It  is  thus  evident 
that  so  long  as  the  stack  temperatures  and  gas  volumes  are  kept  within 
reasonable  limits,  the  quicksilver  loss  from  the  stack  will  be 
unimportant. 

"Water    losses. 

"Another  possible  source  of  loss  of  quicksilver  from  the  condenser 
system  is  through  the  condenser  water.  This  may  carry  finely  divided 
mercury  in  suspension  as  well  as  mercury  salts  in  solution  and  as  sul- 
phuric acid  is  usually  present  in  varying  amounts  it  is  not  unreason- 
able to  supi)ose  that  a  certain  amount  of  mercury  may  have  been  dis- 
solved by  the  acid.  As  the  recovery  of  tlic  mercury  in  suspension  is 
merely  a  matter  of  settling  or  filtration,  pai-ticular  attention  was  given 
to  a  determination  of  tlie  chemically  combined  mercury  in  solution. 
The  highest  mercury  content  found  in  any  sample  of  clear  condenser 
water  under  normal  running  conditions  amounted  to  0.04  grams  per 
liter.  As  the  flow  of  water  from  the  condenser  system  of  a  50-ton 
furnace  is  not  likely  to  exceed  1.000  to  2,000  liters  (6  to  12  barrels) 
per  day,  the  loss  of  mercury  in  solution  is  so  small  as  to  l)e  negligible. 
Water  leaving  the  condenser  system  at  the  time  of  the  periodic  clean- 
ups ma\'  carry  somewhat  greater  (|nan1i1y  of  mei-enry  salts  in  solution. 
but  it  does  not  seem  likely  that  the  h)ss  of  inereui-y  involved  is  iiiipoi't- 
ant." 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  271 

SOOT. 

The  quicksilver  as  thrown  down  in  the  condensers  is  always  mixed 
with  more  or  less  fine-dust  oi'e  particles  in  the  first  condenser,  and  in 
the  others  with  a  black  'soot'.  This  was  mentioned  in  the  introductory 
.section'"*'  under  properties  of  mercury.  According  to  Christy,^* 
analyses  show  this  soot  to  be 

"composed  mainly  of  unburned  carbon  and  hydrocarbons  of  tarry  empyreumatlc 
nature.  The  ingredients  come  mainly  from  the  imperfect  combustion  of  the  fuel, 
but  also  in  some  part  from  the  tarry  matter  in  the  ore  itself.  The  former  cause 
might  be  removed  by  careful  tiring ;  but  the  latter     *      *      *     could  hardly  be  avoided. 

"The  soot  contains,  mechanically  entangled,  large  quantities  of  metallic  quicksilver, 
most  of  which  can  be  removed  by  mechanical  treatment.      *      *      * 

"The  New  Almaden  soot  contains  more  or  less  scrapings  from  the  walls  of  the 
condensers,  and  in  the  colder  condensers,  where  the  moisture  has  had  time  to  condense 
and  the  sulphurous  acid  to  oxidize,  the  soot  is  impregnated  with  dilute  sulphuric  acid. 
The  hot  condensers  next  the  furances  furnish  mainly  dry  quicksilver  and  soot  mixed 
with  ore-dust.  Further  on  they  furnish  quicksilver,  acid  waters,  and  damp  soot, 
and  the  last  condensers  furnish  dribbling  streams  of  inky  acid  waters,  holding  various 
sulphates  in  solution,  colored  by  the  soot  and  carrying  small  amounts  of  finely  divided 
quicksilver.  The  soot  of  these  chambers  is,  of  course,  a  black  mud.  Finally,  the 
side-hill  flues,  deprived  of  the  larger  part  of  condensable  moisture  and  quicksilver, 
furnish  nearly  dry  soot  which  rarely  shows  to  the  eye  any  free  quicksilver." 

The  soot  was  mixed  with  wood  ashes,  and  placed  on  an  inclined 
cement  floor;  then  worked  with  a  wooden  hoe  as  long  as  any  metal 
would  run  out ;  after  which  the  residue  was  re-charged  to  the  furnace 
with  the  ore  feed.  In  1882,  the  soot  produced  4%  of  the  mercury 
vield  of  the  two  coarse-ore  furnaces ;  and  the  soot  of  the  two  fine-ore 
furnaces,  5.6%  of  their  yield. 

Soot  is  generally  worked  by  a  similar  hoeing  at  most  plants,  with  the 
exception  that  lime  is  more  often  used  than  wood  ashes,  and  the  residue 
is  generally  retorted.  The  relative  amount  of  soot  obtained,  and  the 
percentage  of  mercury  carried  by  it  vary  considerably^  at  different 
plants.  At  the  Oceanic  mine,  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  with  pine  wood 
fuel,  some  40%  of  the  total  mercury  recovery  is  through  the  soot. 
After  working  out  as  much  as  possible  by  mechanical  means,  the  bal- 
ance is  retorted. 

From  the  recent  investigations  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Klines  Experi- 
ment Station,  Dr.  Duschak  contributes  the  following  on  soot  formation : 

' '  The  formation  of  mercurial  soot  in  the  condenser  system  i.s  a  source 
of  considerable  annoyance  and  expense  to  the  operator.  With  the 
thought  that  an  understanding  of  the  con.stitution  of  soot  might  give  a 
clue  as  to  the  conditions  which  favor  its  formation  and  eventually  sug- 
gest ways  of  reducing  the  amount  formed,  a  number  of  samples  were 


•'••See  p.  200.  ante. 

'^Christy,  S.  B.,  Quicksilver  condensation  at  New   Almaden  :   Trans.  Am.   Inst.   Min. 
Eng.,  Vol.   XIV,  pp.   227.   22S,   1885. 


272 


CALIFORNIA  STATE   -MIXING  BUREAU. 


collected  from  the  condenser  systems  at  two  plants  and  a  few  represen- 
tiitive  analyses  are  pivon  in  tho  nccomjinnyinfr  tabulation: 


"Analyses  of  Mercurial   Soot. 


Per  cent 


Per  cent 


Per  cent 


Hg— free 

Hg  as  HgS... 
Hg  as  HgSOi 
R:;0.>  (mostly 

CaO    

MgO   

S03       

S   (in  HgS)   .... 

Carbon  

Acid  insol. 

Moisture  at  110' 


and  Hg: 
Fe=03).. 


SO. 


C. 


Totals. 


47.00 

0.62 

3.34 

1.12 

1.51 

O.lfi 

7.41 

0.10 

not  det. 

23.52 

14.10 


64-58 
3.53 

none 
5.53 
0.07 
0.15 
2.05 
0..57 
not  det. 

12.25 

10.74 


78.83 
0.28 
0.68 
0.58 
0.74 
0.07 
2.41 
0.04 
not  det. 

11.06 
7.18 


Per  cent 


Per  cent 


98.88 


99.47 


101.87 


58.72 
0.54 
0.06 
0.76" 
0.16 
0.14  1 
3.63 
0.09 
not  det 
15.98 
10.52 


39 

9 
0 


.50 
83 
.06 


2.26 


3 

0 

9 

23 

11 


.96 

.45 

.90 

2 

9 


90.60 


94.C6 


"These  analyses  are  neither  complete  nor  highly  exact  since  the 
alkali  metals  have  not  been  determined  and  where  carbon  is  reported  it 
probably  occurred  partly  in  the  form  of  heavy  hydrocarbons  of  which 
only  the  carbon  content  was  determined.  Both  the  amount  of  free  mer- 
cury and  moisture  present  are  more  or  less  accidental,  depending  on 
the  method  of  collecting  and  handling  the  sample  before  analysis  and, 
owing  to  the  presence  of  a  certain  amount  of  sulphuric  acid,  drying  at 
110  '  C  does  not  expel  all  the  moisture. 

"These  analyses  coincide  with  the  prevailing  idea  that  the  soot  con- 
sists of  minute  particles  of  mercury  mixed  with  small  amounts  of  mer- 
cury compounds,  with  finely  divided  mineral  matter  from  the  ore  and 
often  carbonaceous  material.  Generally  speaking,  the  amount  of 
chemically  combined  mercury  in  the  soot  is  small.  ]\Iercurous  and 
mercuric  sulfate  are  usually  present,  but  the  greatest  amount  of  mer- 
cury found  in  combination  as  sulfate  in  any  sample  was  3.3%  of  the 
total  mercury  present,  which  latter  amounted  to  41%.  This  sample 
was  taken  from  the  portion  of  the  condenser  system  nearest  to  the 
furnace  and  its  high  content  in  sulfates  of  mercury  (mcrcurous  and 
mercuric  sulfate  were  not  diflt'erentiated)  is  consistent  with  observation 
made  by  quicksilver  operators  that  sulfate  is  more  apt  to  form  in  the 
warmer  part  of  the  condenser  system,  particularly  if  any  sort  of  pocket 
exists  whcic  the  circulation  of  gases  is  not  good.  This  is  what  one 
would  expect  from  a  ciiemical  standpoint.  Sulphur  trioxide  and  watei 
vapor  with  possibly  sonic  undissociated  sulphuric  acid  vapor  occur  in 
the  furnace  gases  and  as  these  cool,  droplets  of  sulphuric  acid  will 
form  at  about  the  same  time  that  the  condensation  of  mercury  vapor 
begins.  The  first  sulphuric  acid  to  condense  will  be  moderately  con- 
centrated and  we  thus  have  at  some  point  in  the  condenser  system  drop- 


QUICKSILVKR   RESOURCES.  273 

lets  eousistiug  of  mercury  or  sulphuric  acid  and  iti  most  cases  probably 
both  at  a  temperature  high  enough  to  cause  fairly  rapid  interaction. 

"The  amount  of  mercuric  sulfide  present  in  soot  is  usually  small,  but 
in  a  few  eases  a  considerable  amount  was  noted.  This  sulfide  may  be 
due  to  cinnabar  dust  from  the  furnace  charge,  to  sulfide  volatilized  as 
such  in  the  furnace  in  the  absence  of  sufficient  oxygen  for  combination 
with  the  sulphur,  or  to  the  formation  of  mercuric  sulfide  through  chem- 
ical action  of  sulphur  compounds  in  the  gas  stream  upon  free  mercury. 
Some  observation  in  the  field,  as  well  as  laboratory  experiments,  indi- 
cate that  this  last  source  of  sulfide  in  soot  is  by  no  means  negligible. 

"Soot  then  is  to  be  regarded  as  consisting  essentially  of  minute  parti- 
cles of  mercury  which  are  prevented  from  coalescing  by  other  sub- 
stances present.  It  is  evident  that  the  amount  of  soot  will  be  less,  the 
smaller  the  amount  of  mineral  dust  and  carbon  soot  accompanying  the 
mercury  laden  gases  from  the  furnace.  A  dust  chamber,  which  may  be 
built  either  as  part  of  the  furnace  (as  in  the  Scott  furnace)  or  as  a 
separate  structure,  will  collect  a  certain  amount  of  the  coarser  dust,  but 
unfortunately  it  is  the  smallest  dust  particles,  which  can  not  be  stopped 
in  this  way.  that  are  most  efifective  in  the  generation  of  soot.  When 
the  amount -of  this  dust  is  excessive,  electrical  precipitation  by  the  Cot- 
trell  Process  offers  an  effective  means  of  cleaning  the  gases.  The 
'treater'  required  for  a  furnace  of  ordinary  size  occupies  comparatively 
little  space  and,  as  electrical  precipitation  of  suspended  matter  can  be 
accomplished  at  elevated  temperature,  it  is  possible  to  remove  ore  dust 
and  other  suspended  matter  from  the  furnace  gases  without  condensing 
any  of  the  mercury  vapor. 

"Several  considerations  indicated  that  the  influence  of  the  factors 
promoting  soot  formation,  namely,  the  mechanically  carried  dust  parti- 
cles and  the  chemical  formation  of  mercuric  sulfide  could  be  minimized 
by  very  rapid  condensation.  This  idea  was  at  least  partially  confirmed 
by  some  small-scale  experiments  in  which  gas  was  drawn  from  the 
furnace  down-take  through  a  water-cooled  tube.  ,  The  mercury  con- 
densed in  this  way  coalesced  readily  and  the  amount  appearing  in  the 
form  of  soot  was  in  all  eases  less  than  5%  of  the  total  mercury-  recov- 
ered. These  experiments,  together  with  the  points  mentione"d  above  in 
speaiiiug  of  condenser  operations,  point  to  the  desirability  of  devising 
a  practical  method  for  the  rapid  cooling  of  quicksilver  furnace  gases." 


18—38540 


274 


CALIFORNIA    STATK    .MINIXG   BUREAU. 


Because  of  its  susceptibility  to  closer  reoiilation,  it  would  seem  that 
better  combustion  could  hv  attained  tb rough  the  use  of  oil  as  fuel  than 
with  wood.     Landers^'-*  considers  that 

"Fuel  oil,  such  a.s  is  u.sed  In  California  needs  a  great  amount  of  air  for  complete 
combustion  and  has  the  di.sadvantage  of  making  a  very  greasy  soot  that  is  carried 
over  into  the  conden-sers  and  greatly  retards  the  collection  of  the  mercury.  To  prevent 
this,  it  is  necessary  to  have  large  fire  boxes  in  which  the  combustion  of  the  oil  can 
take  place,  allowing  only  the  hot  gases  to  escape  into  the  furnace." 


Photo  No.  66.  Cleaning  i:p  one  of  the  new.  wooden  condensers  at  New 
Idria.  The  bright  globules  of  metallic  quicksilver  and  the  "gray  mud' 
may  be   seen   on   the  discharge  lip. 

In  contrast  to  tins,  is  the  result  at  the  Great  Eastern  mine,  Sonoma 
Cotinty,  wlicrr  wood  lias  i-eeently  hccii  r('i>laeed  b\-  oil  as  fuel.  It  is 
stated  that  whereas  before  the  eliange  considerable  soot  had  to  be 
bandied  and  \v;is  i-cfortcfl.  now  a  I'rw  ])nck»'ts  of  drv  dust  are  ()])tained 


""Landers,    W.    II.,    Tlie    Smelting    of    mercurv    ores:   Eng.    &    Min.    Jour.,    Vol.    102, 
p.  632,  1916. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


275 


in  the  tirst  condenser,  only,  ami  it  is  not  necessary  to  run  the  retort. 
This,  too,  with  an  ore  carrying  a  noticeable  amount  of  natural  bitumen. 
Thouiih  the  composition  of  soot  will  vary  according  to  the  time  and 
place  of  sampling,  analysis  of  a  ty{)ical  sample  of  soot  at  the  New  Idria 
mine  (January,  1917)  showed:  ^lercury  63%;  silicates  21%;  small 
amounts  of  iron  oxides,  lime,  soluble  sulphates,  and  occasionally  a  lit- 
tle carbon.  There  is  also  a  little  mercuric  snlphide  carried  over  in  the 
dust.  Most  of  the  soot  they  are  now  getting  there  is  from  the  con- 
den.<5ers  (^f  the  coarse-ore  furnaces,  which  have  not  yet  had  the  improve- 


^ 


4  ■  •      '     . 


Photo   No.   67.      Soot    Mill    at    New    Idria    Mine.    San    Benito    County.      Ball-mill    in    rear.    Senn 

pan-amalgamator    in    foreground. 

ments  added  that  are  in  service  at  #1  fine-ore  furnace— namely :  the 
vertical,  circular,  wooden  chambers,  and  the  introduction  of  cooled  air. 
In  cleaning  np  the  new  wooden  conden.sers  of  #1  furnace,  the  materials 
washed  down  and  scraped  out  are  globules  of  quicksilver  mixed  with  a 
gray  nnid  (see  Photo  No.  66)  which  is  practically  all  quicksilver.  By 
working  it  mixed  with  some  lime,  with  hoes  on  an  inclined  plate,  the 
niftal  particles  coalesce  and  run  down  a  launder  to  the  bottling  room. 

When  visited  by  the  writer  in  Octol)er.  1917,  the  soot  at  New  Idria 
was  being  treated  in  a  special  plant  installed  within  recent  months,  and 
giving  very  satisfactory  results.  As  stated  in  the  preceding  paragraph, 
the  material  came  mainly  from  the  older  brick  and  stone  conden.sers, 


27G  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

Avith  a  little  nnul  from  the  new,  wooden  chambers.  It  was  mixed,  by 
hand  shoveling-,  with  3%  by  weight  of  lime  (CaO),  in  a  wooden  tank, 
to  neutralize  acidity  and  fed  through  a  screened  opening  (1")  into  a 
Hendy  laboratory  ball-mill.  This  mill  is  unlined,  but  with  cascades 
cast  in  the  shell,  being  4'  long  and  30"  diameter.  It  has  a  helical-screw 
feed  and  center  discharge.  Chrome-steel  balls  of  1^"  diameter  were 
used,  and  were  obtained  by  sorting  out  the  small  sizes  from  the  large 
ball-mill  in  the  concentrator  plant.  The  ball-mill  polished  the  dissem- 
inated quicksilver  and  allowed  it  to  coalesce.  This  took  place,  im- 
mediately, to  such  an  extent  in  the  ball-mill,  that  the  accumulated  metal 
there  had  to  be  drawn  otf  at  least  once  each  shift.  The  pulp  next 
passed  to  a  Senn  pan-motion  amalgamator  (see  Photo  No.  67),  the  sur- 
face of  which  is  covered  with  a  silver-plated  copper  plate,  and  the  *  con- 
centrate' discharge  was  through  the  center  to  a  mercury  well.  The  tail- 
ings from  the  Senn  passed  to  concrete  settling  tanks,  whence  the  water 
was  drawn  off,  the  sludge  dried  and  sent  to  #1  fine-ore  furnace.  The 
final  Senn  tailings  assayed  up  to  60  lb.  of  mercury  per  ton  (3%),  from 
heads  carrying  as  high  as  1200  lb.  per  ton  (60/^).  This  plant  was 
driven  by  a  10  h.  p.  Type  Y,  semi-Diesel,  Fairbanks-Morse,  oil  engine. 
Condenser  conditions  have  recently  so  far  improved  that  at  the  present 
writing  (^lareh,  1918),  use  of  this  soot  mill  has  been  discontinued. 


I 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  277 

QUICKSILVER  ASSAYS. 

There  are  two  ma  in  .systems  of  assaying  ores  for  quicksilver,  one 
involving  distillation,  and  the  other  solution.  The  methods  in  the  first 
named  are  more  direct  and  reliable,  quicker  and  require  less  manipu- 
lation. Among  the  earlier  of  these,  the  most  reliable  one  was  that  of 
Eschka,^  wliich  is  essentially  that  of  heating  a  weighed  sample  of  ore 
mixed  with  iron  tilings  in  a  crucible  with  a  gold  foil  on  top  kept  cool  by 
a  weighted  cover  filled  with  water.  Though  following  the  same  pro- 
cedure, Whitton-  while  a  senior  student  in  the  College  of  Mining,  Uni- 
versity of  California,  developed  an  improved  form  of  apparatus  for 
this  assay,  now  known  as  the  'Whitton  apparatus,'  which  has  since 
been  adopted  commercially.  This  method  and  its  manipulation  is 
taken  up  more  in  detail  in  subsequent  paragraphs.  Another  similar 
apparatus  is  known  as  the  James. 

The  'glass  tube  method'  is  another,  involving  distillation.  This  is 
summarized  by  ThornhilP  as  follows : 

"To  determine  the  total  mercury  (both  metallic  and  sulphide),  0.5  gm.  of  the 
material  is  well  mixed  with  cast-iron  filings,  free  from  grease,  and  placed  in  a  hard 
glass  tube,  sealed  at  one  end,  with  a  contraction  at  about  2  in.  from  the  sealed  end. 
The  mercury  is  distilled  off,  by  heating  the  bulb  containing  the  charge,  and  con- 
densed, in  the  tube  just  beyond  the  contraction.  After  the  distillation  is  complete, 
the  contracted  portion  of  the  tube  is  heated,  the  bulb  portion  pulled  off,  and  the  end 
of  the  tube  sealed.  The  tube  containing  the  condensed  mercury  is  allowed  to  cool, 
filled  one-half  full  of  0.1%  KCN  solution,  and  10  to  15  100-mg.  gold  beads  added. 
Each  bead  will  amalgamate  with  about  1-mg  of  mercury.  The  tube  is  shaken  until 
all  the  mercury  is  amalgamated  ;  the  beads  are  transferred  to  a  small  porcelain  cup, 
washed  with  water,  dried  with  alcohol  and  weighed.  After  retorting  off  the  mercury, 
they  are  again  weighed.  From  10  to  12  deteiminations  can  be  made  in  one  hour  by 
this  method  and  it  is  accurate  enough  for  control  of  operations." 

Of  those  involving  solution,  the  best  is  probably  that  known  as  the 
Krieckhaus  Volumetric  Method,  described  in  detail  by  Low.*  It  is 
essentially  as  follows:  Dissolve  2  gm.  of  ore  in  2  cc.  HNO3+IO  cc.  HCl, 
by  allowing  to  stand  cold  an  hour  or  more.  Dilute,  filter,  and  add 
stannous  chloride  solution  to  filtrate.  After  standing  2  hours  the  pre- 
cipitated mercury  will  have  settled  to  bottom.  Filter  and  wash  free 
of  chloride ;  dissolve  Hg  in  cone.  HNO;, ;  add  ferric  nitrate  as  indicator, 
and  titrate  cold  with  standard  potassium  thiocyanate  solution. 

The  latest,  improved  quicksilver  assay,  adopted  within  the  past  fcAV 
months  by  the  assayers  at  the  New  Idria  and  Sulphur  Bank  mines  is  a 
combination  of  the  last  two  above-mentioned  methods.  It  is  es.sentially : 
Distillation  in  a  closed  tube ;  then  dissolve  mercury  in  cone.  HNO3  and 
titrate  with  thiocyanate.  This  method  seems  to  have  proven  to  be  the 
best  yet,  and  bids  fair  to  become  generally  adopted  for  commercial 


'Zeit.  f.  anal.  Chem.,  Vol.  11,  p.  344  ;  also.  Low,  Technical  Methods  of  Ore  Analysis, 
p.   156,   1905:   Furman's  Manual  of  Practical  Assaying,    IS'ri,   p.    133. 

^W'hitton,  W.  W.,  The  determination  of  mercury  in  ores:  Gal.  Jour,  of  Tech.,  Vol.  4, 
No.    1.   pp.    35-39,   1904. 

^Thornhill,  E.  B.,  Recovery  of  mercury  from  amalgamation  tailing:  Bull.  Am.  Inst 
Min.  Eng..  No.  104,  1915,  p.  1653;  also,  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  Ill,  p.  212,  Aug.  7,  1915. 

♦Low,  A.  H.,  Technical  Methods  of  Ore  Analysis,  pp.   156-15S,   1905. 


278  CAIJI'OHMA   STATK    MINING   BIHEAU. 

\v()i'l<.  Di".  Duschak  has  recently  investigated  it  (|nite  thoronphly, 
iniprnviug  the  finesse  of  the  process  in  some  of  its  details,  and  has  also 
made  some  comparisons  with  other  methods.  His  observations  are  sum- 
marized for  this  present  report^  as  follows: 

"A  considerable  number  of  both  wet  and  dry  methods  of  mercury  assaying  have 
been  tested.  Of  these  the  Esclika  method  (Wliitton  apparatus)  was  found  to  be 
convenient  and  reasonably  accuiate  for  oidinaiy  low-grade  ore  and  furnace  tailings. 
Witli  high-s'i-ade  material,  sucli  as  concenti-ates,  the  results  were  not  satisfactory  and 
the  method  fails  entirely  when  pyi'ite,  free  sulphur  or  organic  matter  are  present  in 
any  (|uantity.  The  method  now  used  at  the  Berkeley  Experiment  Station  is  a  com- 
liination  of  older  procedure  with  various  new  features  developed  in  our  laboratory. 
\Vith  slight  modifications  it  may  l)e  applied  to  high  and  low-grade  products  and  to 
material  containing  free  sulplun-,  pyrites  and  organic  matter. 

"Eschka  method. 

"The  apparatus  used  in  the  ti-ials  of  this  method  was  that  due  to  Wliitton.  Silver 
foil  was  used  to  collect  the  mercury.  This  method  was  not  found  accurate  for  ores 
containing  more  than  a  few  per  cent  of  sulphur  or  a  trace  of  organic  matter.  With 
low-grade  material  containing  1%  or  less  mercury  there  appeared  to  be  a  tendency 
toward  high  results  to  the  extent  of  a  few  per  cent  of  the  mercury  present.  High 
results  are  frequently  accompanied  by  a  discoloration  of  the  silver  foil.  Tliis  occurred 
even  with  iron  filings  which  liad  been  purified  witli  great  care  and  in  some  cases  was 
traced  to  excessive  lieating  of  the  crucible.  An  ordinary  Bunsen  burnei-  flame  about 
4  cm.  higli  with  the  tip  of  the  inner  blue  cone  just  touching  the  bottom  of  the  crucible 
was  found  to  supply  the  right  amount  of  heat.  The  usual  heating  period  was  fifteen 
minutes. 

"With  material  carrying  over  15%  mercury  the  results  were  apt  to  be  low  and 
erratic,  due  presumably  to  escape  of  mercury  vapor  between  the  crucible  and  foil. 
Occasionally  a  few  globules  of  mercury  were  found  adhering  to  the  upper  part  of 
the   crucible. 

'"Bureau  of  Mines  method. 

"This  consists,  in  brief,  in  heating  the  ore  mixed  with  a  powdered  reagent  in  a 
glass  tube  closed  at  one  end,  dissolving  the  distilled  mercui->-  in  nitric  acid  and 
titrating  with  a  standard  thiocyanate  solution. 

"Apparatus. 

"The  glass  tubes  are  heated  in  an  iron  block  13x9x8  cm.,  resting  on  a  13x9  face, 
and  enclosed  on  all  sides  except  the  bottom  with  V'  asbestos  board.  This  may  well 
be  further  covered  by  J"  transite  board  and  the  coverings  fixed  on  the  block  by 
machine  screws.  Twelve  11-mm.  holes  are  bored  through  the  block  and  its  coverings, 
passing  thiough  the  9x8  faces.  These  holes  are  in  three  tiers  of  four  holes  each. 
The  block  is  placed  on  a  slieet  of  asbestos  board  which  rests  on  a  tripod  support. 
A  2 J"  hole  is  previously  cut  in  the  asbestos  board  so  that  the  fiame  of  a  Meker 
Ijurner  may  impinge  directly  against  the  iron.  A  six-incli  Meker  burner  gives  ade- 
quate heat  but  in  the  absence  of  gas  a  Dangler  gasoline  lamp  would  unquestionably 
be  efl^cient.  Asbestos  aprons  reaching  from  the  bottom  of  the  furnace  to  the  table 
top  shield  the  front  and  rear  faces  of  the  furnace  from  hot  ascending  air  currents. 

"The  glass  tubes  may  be  of  common  soda  glass  or  of  Pyrex  or  similar  heat-resisting 
glass.  If  of  common  glass  a  new  tube  is  used  for  each  determination,  as  the  glass 
softens  and  distorts  at  the  temperatures  used.  The  tubes  should  not  exceed  10  mm.  in 
external  diameter  and  the  walls  should  be  fairly  thin,  less  than  1  mm.  through.  The 
length  should  be  from  22  to  25  cm.  In  the  case  of  soft  glass  the  closed  end  should  be 
rounded  off  (like  a  test  tube)  and  a  large  drop  of  glass  at  the  tip  should  be  avoided. 
On  the  other  hand,  Pyrex  glass  tul)es  which  may  be  used  repeatedly  should  be  drawn 
out  to  conical  ends  and  a  tiny  button  of  glass  shoidd  be  left  at  the  tip  of  the  cone. 
As  will  be  described  later,  this  tip  is  bioken  off  in  i-emoving  the  mercury  from  the 
tube.  Tlie  small  hole  is  easily  sealed  again  by  drawing  out  the  glass  in  the  llame 
(with  an  auxiliary  bit  of  Pyrex  tubing)  and  reforming  the  small  button.  The  tube  is 
thus  made   ready   for  another  assay. 

"Witli  soft  glass  tubes  loose  plugs  of  asbestos  fiber  may  be  used  to  hold  the  charges 
in  place.  If  the  plug  is  at  all  tiglitly  packed  it  may  hinder  the  How  of  mercury 
vapor.  Owing  to  the  manipulation  invoUed  in  the  use  of  hard  glass  tubes  a  different 
sort  of  plug,  which  may  be  made  as  follows,  is  necessary.  A  piece  of  l)iass  or  copper 
gauze  of  ai)out  .">0-mesh  is  cut  into  rectangles  about  12  mm.  wide  by  18  to  25  mm. 
long.  Four  e(|uidistant  incisions  about  5  mm.  deep  are  made  in  one  of  tlie  longer 
edges.  Tlie  gauze  is  then  l)ent  around  a  piece  of  small  tuliing  into  a  cj'linder  and  tlie 
flaps  are  bent  inwaid,  closing  the  cylindiM-  at  the  bottom.  A  piece  of  niehrome  wire, 
about  2SB.  it  S.  gauge  and  about  .'!  cm.  long  is  woven  into  four  holes,  punched  l)y  a 
needle  in  tlie  gauze,  in  such  a  way  as  to  leave  two  small  loops  projecting  from  the 
walls  of  the  cylinder.  The'se  loops  ai<'  bent  along  tlie  cylinder  walls  toward  the  open 
end  of  tlie  cylindei-.  Niehrome  ictains  considerable  elasticity  at  the  teniiierature  of 
the  furnace  and  these  plugs,  inserted  with  the  closed  ends  against  tlie  charge,  keep 
their  positions  in  spite  of  the  expansions  and  contractions  attending  the  temperature 
changes.  Several  dozen  plugs  .should  b(>  made  ready  for  use.  Before  insertin.g,  the 
nichi-ome  wire  should  always  l)e  lient  out  a  little  to  make  sure  of  a  snug  fit. 


"By  permission  of  the  Director,  U.  S.  Bur.  of  Mines. 


QriCKSIlAKK    KKSOURCES.  279 

"A  soft  steel  rod  3  or  -1  mm.  in  diametei-  ami  about  40  cm.  lonj;  .should  be  Ijcnt 
into  a  rins  at  one  end  and  a  short  sharp,  lateral  sian-  shoidd  be  formed  at  the  otlier 
end.  This  rod  serves  to  push  the  plugs  in  and  to  di-aw  tliem  out  when  the  a.ssay  is 
finished. 

"Special    reagents. 

"A  few  drops  of  ratliei-  strong  potassium  permanganate  solution  are  needed  for  each 
assay.      'J'his   is  most  conveniently  delivered   from  a   dropping  bottle. 

"A  ferric  sulphate  indicator  for  the  titration  is  prepared  b.v  heating  10  g.  of  salt 
with  100  cc.  of  water.  This  must  be  absoluteli,-  free  from  all  halogen  compounds. 
The  2  cc.  needed  for  each  assay  may  be  measured  with  a  pipette  tixed  in  the  stopper 
of  the  indicator  bottle.  As  the  indicator  imparts  some  color  to  the  solution  the 
amount  used  should  be  consistent. 

"Titration  is  made  with  either  a  tenth  or  hundredth  normal  potassium  thiocyanate 
solution,  both  of  which  should  he  kept  in  stock  for  use  according  to  the  quantity  of 
mercury  to  be  determined.  The  solution  is  quite  stable  and  keeps  its  titer  unchanged 
for  at  least  several  months. 

"The  solutions  are  standardized  against  pure  mercury.  For  the  hundredth-normal 
solution  about  10  to  .^0  mg.  mercury  should  be  taken.  This  small  pellet  can  be 
obtained  b>-  using  a  pipette  like  the  ordinary  medicine  dropper,  but  providing  it  with 
a  capillary  tip  6  to  S  cm.  long.  A  thread  of  mercury  of  about  the  right  length 
(determined  by  a  few  trials)  is  drawn  up,  the  pipette  withdrawn  from  the  mercury 
and  pressure  further  relaxed  until  the  mercury  pops  up  into  the  wide  part  of  the 
stem.  The  pipette  is  weighed,  the  mercury  expelled  into  a  flask  or  beaker,  and  the 
pipette  re-weighed.  It  is  advisable  always  to  make  two  such  weighings  for  each 
drop  of  mercury  because  when  the  mercury  pops  up  into  the  stem  a  minute  pellet  is 
sometimes  detatched  from  the  rest  of  the  mercury  and  remains  in  the  pipette  without 
detection.  The  mercury  is  dissolved  in  about  10  cc.  concentrated  nitric  acid,  diluted 
to  about  oO  cc.  and  treated  as  in  regular  titrations  as  described  below. 

"In  addition  to  the  above,  granular  CaO  (about  60-80  mesh),  powdered  and  finely 
granular  CuO  and  37f  H„0..  are  required.  When  the  material  to  be  assayed  contains 
much  sulphur  or  organic  matter,  KCIO:;  is  needed.  A  supply  of  crushed  granite  or 
other  hard  rock  through   10  and  on  20-mesh  is  needed  in  charging  the  tubes. 

"Procedure  for  samples  low  In  sulphur  and  organic  matter. 

"One  gram  of  ore  is  weiglied  in  and  about  one  gram  of  finely  granular  lime  or 
fine,  clean  iron  filings  is  added.  The  material  is  mixed  thoi'oughly  on  a  watcli  glass 
with  a  spatula  and  poured  into  tlie  tube  througli  a  small  short-stemmed  funnel, 
brushing  off  with  a  camel's-liair  brush.  If  Pyrex  tubes  are  used  a  pinch  of  tlie 
crushed  granite  is  placed  in  each  tube  iiefore  charging.  If  an  appreciable  amount 
of  organic  material  or  a  rather  high  percentage  of  sulphur  is  present,  from  0.5  to  1 
gram  of  powdered  copper  oxide  is  added  before  mixing  and  a  layer  of  about  1  to  2  cm. 
of  granular  oxide  is  placed  on  top  of  the  charge  in  the  tube.  To  each  tube  add  a 
5-mm.  layer  of  crushed  rock  and  seal  in  witli  one  of  the  brass  gauze  plugs. 

"The  tubes  should  be  tapped  gently  on  the  table  to  form  an  air  channel  along  the 
side  of  the  charge,  and  then  placed  in  the  furnace.  The  front  of  the  cliarge  should 
be  at  least  3  cm.  from  the  face  of  the  furnace.  Tlie  furnace  has.  or  course,  been 
previously  brought  up  to  temperature  (450°-5.50°  C),  about  IJ  hours'  heating  over  the 
Meker  burner  being  necessar.v.  After  heating  fifteen  minutes  the  tubes  are  withdrawn 
and  each  is  placed  open  end  down  in  a  test  tube  (|"x.5")  containing  10  cc.  concentrated 
nitric  acid.  The  test  tubes  are  placed  in  a  sheet-metal  rack  having  a  thin  layer  of 
sand  at  the  bottom  and  placed  on  the  hot  plate.  When  the  distillation  tubes  have 
cooled  sufficiently  for  handling,  the  tips  are  broken.  A  piece  of  thin-walled  rubber 
tubing  is  slipped  over  the  broken  tip  and  connection  is  thereby  made  with  a  small 
wash  bottle  containing  strong  alkali  solution.  Suction  is  applied  to  the  wash  bottle  by 
mouth  until  the  acid  is  drawn  from  the  test  tube  above  the  mercury  distillate.  A  fine 
frosting  or  mirror  of  mercury  is  instantl>'  dissolved,  while  larger  drops  of  mercury 
become  loosened  and  drop  into  the  test  tube.  After  all  the  tubes  have  been  thus 
treated  the  rack  is  replaced  on  the  hot  plate  for  complete  solution  of  the  mercury 
which  reciuires  5  to  10  minutes.  The  contents  of  each  test  tube  is  then  poured  into  a 
properly  marked  100  cc.  beaker,  10-1.5  cc.  hot  water  added  and  drawn  up  by  suction 
into  the  distilling  tube.  This  washing  with  a  second  similar  one,  which  is  sufficient 
to  remove  all  traces  of  mercury,  is  added  to  the  original   solution. 

"To  each  beaker  is  added  a  small  amount  of  permanganate  solution,  and  the  beaker 
rotated  to  secure  thorough  mixing.  Successive  portions  of  permanganate  are  added 
until  the  color  becomes  permanent.  If  this  treatment  is  omitted  so))te  of  the  mercury 
remains  in  the  mercnrous  state  and  loiv  results  are  obtained  on  titrating.  The  excess 
of  permanganate  is  destroyed  by  one  or  two  drops  of  hydrogen  peroxide.  (Ferrous 
sulphate  solution  is  equally  effective.) 

"Two  cubic  centimeters  of  the  ferric  sulphate  indicator  are  added  and  as  soon 
as  it  has  cooled  to  room  temperature  the  solution  is  ready  for  titration.  If  the  amount 
of  mercury  was  greater  than  about  50  milligrams,  titrate  with  the  tenth-normal 
KSCX  ;   if  less,   use  the  hundredth-normal    solution. 

"With  the  more  dilute  solution  the  end  point  is,  of  course,  not  so  sharp  as  with  the 
tenth-normal  solution,  but  the  end  can  nevertheless  usually  be  fixed  within  a  tenth  of 
a  cubic  centimetei-. 

"Since  a  single  eriuixahnt  of  mercuric  mercury  is  100  grams  (100.3  to  be  exact) 
one  cubic  centimeter  of  hundredth  normal  KSCN  is  eqinvalent  to  one  milligram  of 
mercury. 

"In  all  treatment  subsequent  to  the  distillation  of  menui-y  great  care  must  be 
taken  to  avoid  the  introduction  of  any  lialides.  A  ver.v  small  amount  of  chloride  ion 
lowers  the  mercury  titer  to  an  appreciable  extent.  All  liquid  reagents  and  the  water 
used   must    therefore    be    free    from    chlmidcs.      The    presence   of    chlorides    in    the    ore 


280  CALIFORNIA    STATK    .MIXIXG   BUREAU. 

charge  presents  no  difficulty,   foi-   the  theoretical   amount   of  mercury  has  been   found 
when  pure  calomel  lias  been  takfii  as  tlie  cliarge. 

"The  process  as  above  described  presumes  the  use  of  Pyrex  tuV>es.  If  tomnion  glass 
is  used  the  technic  is  some\vhat  modified.  After  the  fifteen-minute  heating  in  the 
furnace  the  assay  tube  is  drawn  forward  about  an  inch  and  lotated  on  its  axis  while 
a  glass  rod  around  which  is  wrapped  a  layer  of  absorbet|t  cotton  saturated  with  cold 
water  is  held  against  the  tube  close  to  the  furnace.  The  glass  is  shattered  in  a  zone 
about  the  tube  and  a  slight  pressure  releases  the  forward  portion,  which  is  slid, 
sliattered  end  first,  into  the  test  tube  of  nitric  acid.  When  the  nitric  acid  has  dis- 
solved all  the  mercury  (placing  on  the  hot  plate  tlie  while)  the  tube  is  lifted  from 
the  nitric  acid  and  rinsed  with  a  jet  of  water  from  the  wash  bottle.  The  titration  is 
completed  in  the  usual  way,  not  omitting  tlie  treatment  with  i)ermanganate. 

"Modification  for  samples  high   in  sulphur  and  organic  matter. 

"If  the  material  to  l)e  assayed  contains  a  large  percentage  of  sulphur  or  of  organic 
material  or  if  it  consists  of  a  precipitate  on  a  filter  paper,  special  procedure  is 
necessary,  otiierwise  the  distilled  mercury  may  be  contaminated  with  sulphide  or 
organic  materials  which  will  interfere  with  the  titration.  Some  mercury,  moreover,  is 
often  retained  in  the  charge  unless  complete  combustion  is  effected.  To  assure 
complete  combustion  the  charge  is  made  up  as  follows :  One  to  two  grams  of 
potassium  chlorate  are  mixed  with  about  the  same  volume  of  crushed  rock  and  poured 
into  the  bottom  of  the  distillation  tube  which  should  be  about  30  cm.  long.  This 
charge  is  covered  with  about  1  centimeter  of  the  crushed  rock  and  the  material  for 
assay  then  added.  If  the  sample  admits,  a  rather  large  proportion  of  powdered  CuO 
should  be  well  mixed  with  it  before  pouring  into  the  tube.  A  filter  paper,  on  the 
other  hand,  after  drying  should  be  coiled  into  a  cylinder  and  pushed  down  the  tube. 
A  bulky  precipitate  should  be  removed  from  the  filter,  mixed  with  CuO  and  charged 
into  tlie  tube,  on  top  of  the  coiled  filter.  The  substance  for  assay  having  been 
charged,  a  mixture  of  granular  CaO  and  CuO  in  the  proportion  of  one  part  of  the 
former  by  weight  to  two  of  the  latter  is  poured  into  the  tube  to  a  depth  of  five  or 
more  centimeters.  This  reagent  should  contain  no  particles  below  60  or  80-mesh  in 
size  as  they  may  reduce  the  porosity  of  this  column  to  such  an  extent  that  gases 
accumulating  behind  may  blow  the  column  forward,  spoiling  tlie  assay.  The  column 
is  capped  by  a  thin  cover  of  crushed  rock  followed  by  the  usual  brass-gauze  plug. 
The  total  length  of  charge  must  not  exceed  12  cm. 

"The  tube  is  tapped  gently'  to  make  an  air  passage  above  the  material  for  assay, 
but  a  ciiannel  above  the  CuO-CaO  mixture  should  be  avoided  as  far  as  possible.  The 
tube  is  then  inserted  in  the  furnace,  pushing  it  rapidly  through  the  iron  block  until 
the  material  for  assay  is  clear  at  the  back.  The  CuO  and  CaO  mixture  remains  in 
the  furnace  and  is  thus  preheated.  After  three  or  four  minutes  the  tube  is  gradually 
drawn  forward  bringing  the  charge  into  the  furnace.  From  now  to  the  end  of  the 
heating  the  tube  requires  the  constant  attention  of  the  assayer.  It  is  advisable  to 
insert,  in  the  open  end  of  the  distilling  tul^e  tlirough  a  small  one-hole  stopper  a  glass 
tube  of  about  2  mm.  internal  diameter,  which  is  bent  down  at  right  angles  and  passes 
through  a  two-hole  stopper  into  a  small  test  tube  containing  3-5  cc.  concentrated 
nitric  acid.  This  device  acts  as  a  bubbler  to  indicate  the  rate  of  flow  of  gases  and 
also  as  a  washer  to  absorb  at  least  the  ma.ior  part  of  any  mercury  vapor  that  may 
pass  this  far.  After  titrating  at  the  close  of  the  experiment  the  contents  of  tliis  tube 
may  be  added  to  the  titrating  breaker  to  determine  if  any  additional  KSCN  solution  is 
required.  Ordinarily  no  appreciable  amount  of  mercury  is  found  here.  The  passage 
of  the  distilling  tube  into  the  furnace  is  so  regulated  that  the  bubbler  shows  a  suc- 
cession of  passing  bubbles  whicli  never  coalesce  into  a  continuous  stream.  At  first 
the  volatile  organic  matter  and  free  sulphur  are  expelled  and  are  completely  oxidized 
upon  entering  tlie  column  of  CuO.  The  acid  gases  produced  are  largely  absorbed  by 
the  CaO.  Wlien  the  potassium  clilorate  charge  begins  to  enter  tlie  hot  zone  oxygen 
is  evolved  and  especial  care  is  needed  here  not  to  make  tlie  evolution  too  rapid.  The 
nonvolatile  carbon  is  consumed  in  the  oxygen  stream  and  the  mercury  completely 
expelled  from  the  charge.  If,  however,  the  forward  part  of  the  column  is  lacking  in 
porosity  the  oxygen  pressure  may  become  higli  enougli  to  cause  tlie  precipitation  of 
mercuric  oxide  and  part  of  tlie  mercury  may  thus  fail  to  distill  out.  .After  tlie 
mercury  is  distilled  the  bubbler  is  disconnected,  the  tube  removed  from  the  fuinace 
and  the  assay  completed  in  tlie  usual  way.  It  is  recommended  tliat  the  assayer  on 
fii'St  using  this  inethod  acquire  confidence  in  his  technic  In-  wt'igliing  out  a  drop  of 
pure  mercury  as  for  a  standardization  of  thiocanate,  dissol\ing  it  in  a  small  amount  of 
nitric  acid,  diluting,  precipitating  with  hydrogen  sulphide,  filtering  and  assaying  filter 
paper  and  percipitate." 

THE  WHITTON  METHOD. 

When  lib'  aiillior  he<i-an  llic  lal)oratorv  expiM-iments  connected  with 
the  present  investigation,  it  was  deemed  important  to  get  early  results 
from  the  practical  standpoint  relative  to  concentration.  For  this  rea- 
son, it  Avas  decided  to  utilize  an  assay  alreadx'  'perfected'  rather  than 
to  take  up  any  time  on  rt'seareh  involviuu  a  comparison  of  assay 
methods  or  Ihcir  improvement;  except  sucli  as  miofht  incidentally  arise 
durini^-  the  progress  of  the  work.     After  a  slioi't  study  of  the  methods 


(iUICKSJLVKU    UESOIIRCES. 


281 


PLATE  XXXIX. 


Plate  or  Shield 

Oufff  diorrt 
nner  Ciam 


Plan. 


■ ,  Top  laced  ana 
I  polishea 


'i 


IJ. 


fit 


mf 


M.. 


CteiJ 


^e^  ort 
Turned  from  mild  iteel 


/'  Thumb  Jc'f -v 
£-~j  4   diO~   1 7    hnq 


Clamp   of    ^'iq  iron 


Cross-bor  of  ^  ' r  j  bras 
ioldered  m  place 


^■v'/i.y- 


1:2 


Coo  1 1  n  q     Dish 

Of  cast  brass   bottom 
faced  ana  polished 


Apparatus    for    the    Determ/nafion 
of    Mercury 


Bansen  bufrej: 


Cle.aronof    /Apparafus    when    Assembled 

Whitton    Quicksilver   Apparatus. 


2S2  CALIFORNIA    STATE    :\IIXIX(i    HI'REATT. 

then  in  vooiu\  the  Whitton  was  chosen,  asul  was  followed,  throughout. 
The  details,  as  originally  described  by  Whitton"  are  as  follows: 

"Tlie  method  of  the  author  pos.sesses  novel  features  which  render  the  assa.v  more 
aec-urate  and  i-elinble,  manipulation  is  simpler  [than  the  Chism'  method,  whieh  he 
hail    used    pre\ioiisly],    and   the   time   is   not   leiiKlheiied. 

"The  details  of  tlie  apparatus  are  readil.v  seen  b>-  referring  to  tlie  aceompanyins 
cut,  [Plate  XXXIX],  which  will  serve  as  a  woi-king  drawing  for  its  construction. 
Briefly  it  consists  of  a  steel  retort,  with  a  cover  of  sheet  silver,  and  above  this  a 
flat-bottomed  cooling  dish  of  brass,  these  three  essential  pieces  being  clamped 
tightl.v  t(5gether  as  shown.  Thus  arranged  the  distillation  is  performed  in  a  closed 
retort,  which  prevents  the  escape  of  mercury  vapor,  and  renders  careful  regulation  of 
the  heat  unneceesary.  Another  important  advantage  lies  in  the  use  of  the  steel  retort. 
It  sliouhl  be  recognized  that  mercury  vapors  will  condense  upon  any  surface  below 
the  boiling  point  of  mercury,  357.82°  C,  whether  that  surface  be  ore  with  whicli  the.v 
will  amalgamate  or  not.^  The  steel  retort  is  a  good  conductor  of  heat,  and  tlius  all 
portions  of  it  are  readily  brought  above  this  temperature,  while  the  foil  is  kept  below 
this  temperature  by  its  contact  with  the  bottom  of  the  cooling  dish  ;  thus  the  vapor 
must  condense  upon  the  foil,  and  not  upon  any  other  portions  of  the  exposed  inner 
surface  of  the  retort. 

"The  retort  or  crucible  Is  turned  from  mild  steel  to  the  sizes  shown,  and  the  top 
surface  should  be  faced  off  true  and  smooth.  Several  forms  of  retort  were  tried,  but 
this  design  gives  the  most  satisfactory  results.  It  has  a  small  capacity  and  exposes  a 
comparatively  large  surface  to  the  action  of  the  vapor. 

"The  cooling  dish  is  of  cast  brass ;  this  metal  is  a  good  conductor  of  heat  and 
does  not  readily  corrode.  The  cross-bar  may  be  soldered  in  place  ;  the  bottom  should 
be  faced  off  true  and  smooth.  Several  forms  were  tried  ;  in  one  the  flat  bottom  of  the 
dish  was  cut  out.  leaving  a  ring-shaped  "dish"  in  which  the  water  was  in  direct  con- 
tact with  the  foil.  But  trial  has  shown  that  it  is  not  necessary  that  the  water  be  in 
direct  contact  with  the  foil,  and  in  the  form  used  dessication  of  the  foil  is  avoided  ; 
thus  shortening  tlie  assay  materially. 

"The  clamp  should  be  of  such  size  as  to  include  the  ring  of  the  retort  stand  used  to 
support  the  appaiatus  ;  it  can  be  made  by  any  blacksmith. 

"The  sheet-iron  shield  should  be  at  least  1/16  of  an  inch  thick,  preferably  3/32  ; 
if  much  thinner  it  will  buckle  when  the  clamp  is  screwed  down. 

"As  a  recipient  silver  foil  is  used  in  pieces  about  13  inches  square,  and  of  such 
thickness  tliat  a  piece  of  this  size  weighs  about  1.4  grams.  It  can  be  obtained  from 
almost  an.v  dealer  in  assajer's  supplies  at  a  cost  of  two  dollars  per  ounce.  Foil  2" 
wide  and  free  from  holes  and  cracks  should  be  specified.  Thus  one  square  costs  about 
eight  cents,  and  as  a  foil  will  last  for  from  five  to  ten  assays,  the  cost  per  as.say  is 
inconsiderable.  Upon  the  surface  exposed  in  the  retort  as  much  as  0.15  grams  of 
mercury  may  be  deposited,  but  it  is  preferable  to  use  such  quantities  of  ore  that  not 
over  0.05  grams  will  be  deposited,  when  the  amalgam  formed  adheres  firmly  to  the 
foil. 

"As  a  desulphurizer,  or  flux,  iron  filings  are  used.  The  preparation  of  the  filings  is 
important.  They  should  be  put  tluough  a  5  0-mesh  sieve,  washed  very  thoroughly 
with  alcoliol  or  carlion  disulphide  to  remove  grease,  and  heated  for  an  hour  or  more 
in  the  muffle  or  upon  a  hot  plate.  It  is  not  advisable  to  have  them  too  fine,  and 
all  that  will  go  through  an  80-mesh  sieve  should  be  discarded  if  the  best  results  aie 
desired.  A  blank  test  with  the  filings  should  not  increase  the  weight  of  a  new  foil 
nor  discolor  it. 

"The  assay  is  conducted  as  follows:  Take  from  0.15  to  2  grams  of  the  ore,  accord- 
ing to  richness,  place  in  the  retoi-t,  and  mi.x  very  thoroughly  with  about  6  grams  of 
tlie  prejiared  filings,  adding  3  grams  more  as  a  co\er.  Weigh  a  square  of  foil,  and 
assemlile  the  apparatus,  screwing  the  clamp  down  firmly.  Fill  the  cooling  dish  witli 
water,  and  heat  for  17  minutes.  If  a  Vnuisen  burner  is  used  regulate  the  heat  as 
follows:  liave  the  liottom  of  the  retort  about  li  inches  from  the  top  of  the  burnei-. 
The  gas  flame  should  be  turned  down  quite  low,  and  the  blue  cone  should  just  strike 
the  bottom  of  the  retort  while  the  flame  runs  up  the  sides  of  the  retort  for  about 
J  an  incli.  Tlie  tendency  of  a  l)eginner  is  to  have  too  high  a  lieat.  The  water  in  tlie 
cooling  dish  shoidd  come  to  a  boil  in  six  or  seven  minutes,  and  should  be  allowed  to 
boil  thi-oughout  the  assay,  being  replaced  onl.v  once  or  twice  as  it  boils  away.  This 
keeps  the  foil  above  the  boiling  point  of  water,  while  below  that  of  mercury  :  tiius  no 
water  remains  upon  the  foil  at  the  conclusion  of  the  assay,  and  dessication  of  the  foil 
is  unnece.ssary  ;  it  may  be  weighed  almost  as  soon  as  it  is  removed  from  the  retort  as 
it  cools  very  rapidly.  No  evidence  of  overheating  has  appeared  in  many  assays;  and 
the  clo.se  attention  of  the  operattir  is  not  necessary  during  the  heating.  .At  the 
expiration  of  the  17  minutes  heatin.g,  the  assay  is  allowed  to  cool  until  it  can  b" 
handled  ;  this  takes  about  5  minutes.  It  is  then  dismounted  and  the  foil  conveyed, 
under  cover  to  avoid  dust,  to  the  balance  and  weighed.  The  increase  in  weight  is  due 
to  mercui-.v,  and  the  percentage   is  readily  calculated. 

"The  time  required  for  an  as.say  is  about  30  minutes.  By  using  two  sets  of 
apparatus,  and  four  foils,  weighing  up  the  fiist  pair  of  foils  while  the  second  pair  is 
in  use.  they  may  be  made  in  15  minutes.  With  three  .sets  of  apparatus  the  time  may 
be    rediK'eii    to    12    minutes    for    continuous    work.      The    deposit    upon    the    foil    shoidd 


"Whitton,    W.    W.,    The    determination    of    niercurv    in    ores:   Cal.    Jour,    of    Tech. 

Vol.   4,  No.    1,  pp.   30-39,  Sept.   lltOl. 

'Chism,  R.  F.,  A  new  as.say  foi-  niricnry:   Trans.  .\iu.   Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  vol.  28,  1898 
"This  is  true  only  for  the  \apor  of  pure  mer(ur.\-  at  one  atmosphere  pressure.      The 

pressure  of  other  gases  lowers  the  conilensing  temperature. 


J 


QUICKSIF.VKK    KKSOl'RCES. 


283 


be  white  in  color ;  if  tlie  heat  is  too  Ions  and  higli  the  deposit  will  assume  a  dark 
color:  this  dark  deposit  is  volatile,  and  is  apparently  due  to  oxidation  of  the  mercury. 
Assays  in  which  this  color  has  appeared  are  not  very  reliable  ;  they  may  vary  either 
way   from  the  correct   result,   but   generally   higli. 

"In  the  case  of  ores  containing  much  water,  on  removing  the  foil  it  is  occasionally 
found  to  ha\e  tilings  upon  the  deposit,  and  also  is  stained  a  dark  color  in  spots.  This 
is  due  to  a  drop  of  water  condensing  upon  the  foil  and  falling  back  on  to  the  hot 
charge  in  retort,  where  it  boils  violently  and  throws  up  the  charge  on  to  the  foil. 
This  may  be  avoided  by  heating  up  the  charge  slowly,  or  if  very  persistent,  by  the 
use  of  a  shield  above  the  charge.  Probably  asbestos  wool  would  be  good  to  use  for 
this  purpose.      «      *      * 

"Duplicates  on  ores  carrying  under  0.50'7f  mercury  should  agree  within  0.01%  ;  on 
ores  under  1%  mercury  they  should  agree  within  0.02%  at  the  most. 

"The  method  has  been  frequently  checked  against  the  work  of  other  assayers, 
giving  results  in  close  agreement." 


Photo    No.    68.      Whitton    Quicksilver-assay   Apparatus,    showing    component    parts. 

In  this  present  work,  the  author  used  three  sets  of  the  apparatus,— 
two  as  put  on  the  market  by  the  Braun-Kneeht-Heiman  Co.,  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  the  third  set  being  the  original  one  made  for  AVhitton  in  the 
machine  shop  of  the  Department  of  Mining  &  Metallurgy,  University  of 
California.  Photo  No.  68  shows  the  component  parts  of  the  apparatus 
(there  being  2  crucibles  or  retorts,  and  2  cooling  dishes  shown,  so  as  to 
give  top  and  side  views),  and  Photo  No.  69.  the  same  assembled.  The 
thumb  screw  should  be  of  brass,  and  it  would  be  better  if  the  clamp  were 
also  of  the  same  metal,  because  the  steam  rising  from  the  water  in  the 
cooling  dish  in  a  very  short  time  rusts  the  screw  threads  so  that  they 
do  not  work  smoothly.  The  cooling  dishes  in  the  sets  made  by  the 
Braun  company  have  two  cro.ss  bars  for  the  clamp-screw  bearing  cast 
in  tiie  form  of  a  -|-  iiistead  of  a  single  bar  as  in  the  original  Whitton 
set.  The  writer  found  this  to  be  an  advantage,  as  it  was  noticed  that 
due  to  expansion  on  heating,  the  single  bar  had  a  tendency  to  warp  the 
dish,  thus  preventing  the  bottom  from  remaining  a  plane  surface.     A 


284 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BIKEAU. 


plane  surface,  obviously,  is  necessary  for  a  close  contact  with  the  foil 
and  retort. 

If  iron  filings,  alone,  are  used  as  a  Mux  or  de-sulphurizer.  they  should 
be  absolutely  clean,  and  free  from  grease.  Cast-iron  was  found  not  to 
be  as  .suitable  as  cold-roHed.  mild  steel,  or  wroutiht-iron.     Well-burned, 


Photo   No.   69.     Whitton    Quicksilver-assay 
Apparatus,   assembled. 

high-grade  lime  can  also  ho  used;  hut  a  mixture  of  iron  filings  and  lime 
in  equal  parts  seems  to  give  cleaner  and  more  uniform  results  than 
either  alone.  The  lime  apparently  takes  earc  of  any  irregularities  in 
the  iron.  Sharwood"  also  considers  a  mixtiire  of  the  two  preferable  to 
either  alone. 


•Sharwood,   W.   J.,   Tlie   dcteitiiinaliun    ul'   intTLiuy    in   ivuiiide  solution   and   pii'cipi- 
tate:  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Vol.   Ill,  ]<.  663,  October  30.  IIUO. 


QUICKSir.VER   RESOURCES.  285 

To  t^xpodite  the  work  when  assaying'  a  nunilier  of  samples,  the  writer 
kept  in  use  6  pieces  of  silver  foil  and  2  of  gold.  The  gold  foils  have 
been  used  26  and  28  times,  respectively,  and  the  silver  from  22  to  31 
times  each,  and  they  are  all  still  serviceable.  This  is  considerably  more 
than  Whitton's  "from  five  to  ten  assays."^-  Before  using,  each  foil 
was  freshly  ignited  to  redness  over  a  bunsen  burner,  conveyed  in  a  des- 
sieator  and  weighed.  After  amalgamation,  the  foil  was  likewise  con- 
veyed under  cover  to  the  weighing  room,  following  which  it  was  ignited 
to  redness  to  expel  the  mercury,  then  polished  with  very  fine  fioured- 
emery  paper  to  insure  a  fresh  bright  metallic  surface.  Apparently  this 
ignition  did  not  expel  all  of  the  mercury,  as  the  foils  gained  in  weight, 
especially  after  running  a  high-grade  sample ;  though  after  such,  notable 
increases  there  was  always  a  slight  falling  back,  when  lower  grade  sam- 
ples were  run,  but  in  no  case,  did  any  foil  used  by  the  writer  return  to 
as  low  as  its  original  weight.  The  following  tj^pical  cases  will  show 
the  variations  in  weight  of  the  particular  pieces  of  foil  before  each 
assay : 

Xo.  2  foil  (gold)  weight  in  grams  :    6.3359:  6.3382  :  6.3379:  6.3377;  6.3375;  6.3376; 

6..3376:    6.3373;    6.3377;    6..3377 ;    6.-3377;    6.3376;    6.3378;    6.3376;  6.3376; 

6.3376;    6..33S0 ;    6.3380:    6.3377:    6.3377:    6..33S1 ;    6.3379;    6.3381;  6.3381; 
6.3384:    6.3393;    6.3387;    6.3390. 

No.   4   foil    (.silver)    weight    in    grams:       3.052i>;   3.0525;   3.0524;  3.0527;   3.0541; 

3.0&46:    3.0550;    3.0.550;    3.0559;    3.0.555;    3.0563:    3.0558;  3.0561;    3.0555; 

3.0560:    3.0567;    3.0567;    3.0572;    3.0567;    3.0562;    3.0.559;  3.0564;    3.0554; 
3.0552:    3.0556;    3.0555:    3.0555;    3.0554;    3.0559. 

Concordant  results  were  obtained  on  the  same  samples  with  both  gold 
and  silver  foils ;  but  in  some  cases  the  silver  gave  slightly  higher  results, 
due  possibly  to  sulphidizing,  a.s  in  all  such  the  surface  was  somewhat 
discolored.  Gold  is  more  satisfactory  to  use  in  all  cases,  but  especially 
for  close  work;  though  silver  dees  for  the  ordinary  run  of  samples. 
Proof-metal  was  used  in  both  cases,  and  cut  into  2-inch  scpiares.  The 
writer  has  assayed  up  to  14  samples  in  -l  hours,  with  3  sets  of  appa- 
ratus and  8  foils.  With  additional  sets  of  the  apparatus,  a  larger  num- 
ber of  assays  can  be  made.     The  samples  were  ground  to  pass  80  mesh. 

The  investigations  of  Duschak,  quoted  on  a  preceding  page,  indicate 
that  the  closed-tube  and  thiocyanate-titration  method  is  superior  to  the 
Whitton  especially  for  materials  carrying  above,  say  10%  mercury. 
For  materials  assaying  less  than  17<  mercury,  the  Whitton  has  the 
advantage  of  capacity  for  a  larger  sample.     Up  to  3  gm.  can  be  taken. 


■nVhitton,  W.  W.,  The  determination  of  mercury  in  ores:   Cnl.  Jour.  Tech.,  Vol.   IV, 
No.  1,  p.  :5S,  1904. 


286 


CALIFORNIA    STATE   MIXING   BUREAU, 


Chapter  2. 

CONCENTRATION  OF  QUICKSILVER  ORES. 

In  the  author's  investigations,  the  samples  treated  were  stage- 
crushed  to  pass  a  given  screen,  the  larger  ones  being  coned  several  times 
l)efore  quartering  down,  and  the  smaller  ones  cut  down  with  a  Jones 
10-division,  hand-sampling  grizzly.  The  crushers  used  (see  Photo  No. 
70)  were  a  Sturtevant  roll-jaw  crusher,  6"  x  6",  and  Sturtevant  labora- 


Photo   No.    70.      Crushing   and    Sampling    Floor   in    Mill    of   Department   of   Mining, 
University   of    California,    Berkeley. 

tory  rolls  8"  diameter  x  5"  face.  These  were  used  in  connection  M-ith 
a  shaking  screen  (seen  at  right  edge  of  photograph).  The  samples  were 
all  crushed  and  screened  dry.  hccaiisc  wet  ci-ushing  could  not  be  done 
witli  the  rolls  as  installed. 

Samples  treated. 

Jl — Fines  collected  Feb.  21.  IHKI.  fi-oiii  silc  of  old  fine-ore  bin  of 
Scott  furnace,  a1  Oat  Hill  iiiiiic  Xapa  County, — 50  lb.  Tliis  was  fine 
material,  all  under  .\  inch  size,  which  had  sifted  through  from  the  ore 
bin  which  liiid  o!ie  time  been  nbove  it.     It  was  mosth"  of  frial)le  sand- 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  287 

stone,  with  the  einiiabar  distinctly  crystaline.     Assayed  3.88%  mei'eury. 
Screened  throuuh  #10  mesh  before  sampling. 

52— Oat  Hill  mine,  Napa  County,  Feb.  20,  1916—300  lb.  of  loAv-yrade 
material,  mostly  sandstone,  from  #2  B-Fanny  waste  dump,  with  which 
was  mixed  85  lb.  of  small,  hard  lumps  carrying  quartz,  cinnabar  and 
{)yrite.  Assayed  1.99%  mercury.  Screened  through  #4  mesh  before 
sampling.  These  two  Oat  Hill  samples  were  collected  by  the  author 
through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  J.  E.  jMiller,  one  of  the  lessees. 

#3— ^tna  mine,  Napa  County.  Feb.  25,  1916—400  lb.  of  tailings 
from  Colorado  bumping  tables.^  These  tailings  were  impounded  during 
operation  of  the  plant  by  a  lessee  in  1915.  The  ore  had  been  ground 
by  a  Griffin  mill  to  pass  jtlS-mesh  screen.  It  was  in  part,  hard  siliceous 
material  from  underground  workings,  and  in  part,  soft  ochreous 
material  from  surface  cuts  and  dumps.  j\Iuch  of  the  cinnabar  was  fine, 
soft,  and  'painty'  even  before  grinding.  This  sliuied  and  paint  cinna- 
bar largely  remained  in  suspension  and  floated  off  from  the  tables. 
Assayed  0.385%  mercury.  The  writer  has  no  knowledge  of  what  the 
bumping-table  heads  ran,  as  the  operator  did  no  sampling  nor  assaying. 

#•1— ^tna  mine,  Napa  County,  Feb.  25,  1916—200  lb.  from  old 
waste  dump  on  Phoenix  ( ?)  claim.  This  material  had  considerable  clay 
mixed  in  with  it.  and  the  cinnabar  was  ver.v  fine.  Screened  through 
|:4  mesh  before  sampling.  Assayed  0.157%  mercury.  Samples  jf3  and 
jf4  were  sent  by  l\Ir.  A.  A.  Cibson,  then  superintendent  for  the  operating 
company. 

it5 — Patriquin  (formerly  Parkfield)  mine,  Montere}'  County,  Feb- 
ruary, 1916 — 200  lb.  of  hard,  siliceous,  low-grade,  surface  material. 
The  rock  is  a  silicified  serpentine,  and  the  gangue  minerals  chalcedony 
and  calcite.  The  cinnabar  is  crystalline,  occurring  in  veinlets  and 
along  the  fracture  faces,  with  a  little  associated  pyrite.  All  screened 
through  #10  mesh  before  sampling.     Assayed  0.45%  mercury. 

it6 — Patriquin  (formerly  Parkfield)  mine,  Monterey  County.  Feb- 
ruary, 1916 — 100  lb.  from  ore  being  retorted,  and  stated  to  be 
yielding  an  average  of  4%  quicksilver.  As  described  by  the  author- 
in  a  recent  report:  "The  country  rocks  are  serpentine  and  Franciscan 
metamorphic  sandstone.  The  ore  body  is  a  zone  containing  parallel 
stringers  of  cinnabar  with  the  intervening  rock  and  its  fractures  more 
or  less  impregnated  witli  the  mineral.  It  is  in  part  stockwork.  The 
vein  filling  is  (|uartz,  opaline  silica,  and  chalcedony,  and  much  of  the 
serpentine  is  silicified.  The  cinnabar  occur.s  as  distinct  crystals,  not 
as     'paint'."     All     screened     through     #10     mesh     before     sampling. 


'See  author's  report  on  .T^tna  mine:  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Rept.  XIV.  pp.  2'<:^-285, 
1916;  also  in  advance  chapter  on  Napa  County,   pp.    111-113,   191.'i. 

=Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  on  mine.';  and  mineral  icsources  of  Monterey  et  al. 
counties,  p.   19,   1917. 


288.  CALIFORNIA    STATK    MIX  INT,   BUREAU. 

Assayed  1.42';.r  luereury.     Samples  #5  and  #6  were  sent  by  Mr.  Lewis 
Patriquin.  part  owner. 

#7— Big  Injun  mine,  Lake  County,  Feb.  21,  1916—20  lb.  delivered 
to  tlie  writer  by  IMr.  T.  A.  Peterson,  lessee.  The  ore  was  mainly  soft 
serpentine  carrying  native  mercurN-  and  distinctly  crystalline  cinna- 
bar. Because  of  having  only  brass  screens  available  for  the  shaker  at 
the  time  this  sample  was  crushed,  it  was  put  through  the  rolls  set  at 
:1  inch  and  not  screened.  It  was  then  rolled  on  a  cloth  and  a  sample 
for  assay  cut  out  with  a  spatula.  Later,  before  concentrating,  it  was 
again  put  through  the  rolls,  set  up  close  so  as  to  crush  to  approximately 
#20  mesh;  but  not  screened,  as  the  native  quicksilver  would  have  amal- 
gamated with  the  brass.  Assayed  1.39%  mercury.  Still  later  a  por- 
tion of  the  sample  was  ground  on  the  bucking-board  to  pass  a  #40  mesh 
iron-wire  screen,  and  an  amalgamation  test  made  with  gold  beads  in 
a  0.1%  KCN  solution,  which  showed  0.51%  native  mercury  present,  or 
36%  of  the  total  assay  value. 

#8 — St.  John's  mine.  Solano  County  March,  1916 — 630  lb.  from 
mine-run  ore  being  sent  to  Scott  furnace.  Sent  by  ]Mr.  Clifford  G 
Dennis,  manager  of  St.  Johns  ]\Iines  Co.  The  ore  occurs  at  the  con- 
tacts of  a  series  of  faults  and  meta-andesite  dikes.  This  meta-andesite 
macro-scopically  resem.bles  some  Franciscan  metamorphic  sandstones. 
The  cinnabar,  mainly  crystalline,  is  in  part  disseminated  in  this  rock, 
and  in  such  occurrences  resembles  the  Oat  Ilill  ore,  but  is  harder  and 
somewhat  silicified.  The  cinnabar  is  also,  in  part,  along  the  fractures. 
There  is  some  shale  present,  a  little  associated  pyrite,  and  occasional 
spots  of  a  thick,  brown  petroleum.  All  screened  through  #6  mesh 
before  sampling.     Assaying  0.49%  mercury. 

#9— Cambria  mine,  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  March,  1916 — 238  11). 
sent  l)y  ]\[r.  Ellard  W.  Carson,  manager.  This  is  a  hard,  cherty, 
siliceous  ore,  carrying  cinnabar  and  a  little  native  quicksilver.  The 
cinnabar  was  all  crystalline,  but  some  of  it  very  fine,  and  occurred 
mostly  in  Iho  fractures.  All  screened  through  #10  mesh  iron-wire, 
before  sampling.  Assayed  0.31%  mercury.  An  amalgamation  assay 
with  gold  beads  in  a  0.1%  KCN  solution,  on  ij:40-mesh  product  showed 
0.005^{  native  quicksilver  present,  or  1.6%  of  the  total  a.ssay  value. 

210 — Goldbanks  mine,  near  Winnemucca,  Humboldt  County. 
Nevada,  Api-il.  1910—200  lb.  of  mine-run  ore  sent  by  Mr.  AV.  G.  Adam- 
son,  owner.  This  ore  is  a  breccia  (apparently  quartzite  or  a  rhyolitic 
tuff,  but  so  altri'od  that  its  original  character  is  not  readily  deter- 
mined), which  has  been  re-cementi'd  by  silica,  mainly  chalcedonic.  Tlit^ 
cinnabar  occurs  almost  entirely  in  the  cementing  silica  and  in  the  frac- 
tures, llic  cinnal)ar  and  silica  apparently  having  been  ju-ecipitated  from 
solution  simultaneouslv.     The  ore  is  extremelv  hard  and  fine-grained, 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES.  289 

the  cinnabar  being  almost,  if  not  quite,  crypto-crystalline.  Examina- 
tion of  a  thin-section  under  th(^  microscope  by  transmitted  light,  did 
not  reveal  any  distinguishable  crystal  outlines  at  250  diameters 
magnification.  With  a  reflecting  microscope,  revolving  the  section  on 
the  stage,  an  occasional  glint  was  noted  of  what  was  probably  a  crystal 
face  reflection,  at  175  diameters  magnification  but  at  none  lower.  (See 
colored  reproduction  on  Plate  IV,  ante.) 

Having  seen  a  specimen  of  this  ore  at  the  Panama-Pacific  Interna- 
tional Exposition  in  1915,  the  writer  solicited  a  sample  for  concentra- 
tion tests,  recognizing  in  it  an  extreme  case.  Such  it  has  proven  to  be, 
as  is  shown  elsewhere  herein.  The  cinnabar  in  this  ore  has  not  the 
brilliant  vermilion  color  that  one  ordinarily  finds  in  this  mineral, 
because  there  is  a  yellow,  iron  oxide  (probably  limonite)  intimately 
associated  with  it.  A  qualitative  chemical  test  of  a  rather  clean  flo- 
tation-concentrate sample  gave  a  strong  reaction  for  ferric  iron.  The 
entire  sample  was  crushed  to  pass  a  #16-mesh  screen  before  the  por- 
tion for  assay  was  cut  out.  After  crushing,  the  whole  mass  had  a 
decided  pink  color,  due  to  the  cinnabar  being  so  finely  divided  and  so 
thoroughly  scattered  through  the  ore.  Assayed  1.72%  mercury.  Tests 
as  to  the  applicability  of  both  flotation,  and  of  solution  in  an  alkaline 
sulphide.  Avere  made  on  this  ore ;  but  none  were  made  with  table  con- 
centration, as  it  is  obvious  from  the  nature  of  the  cinnabar  occurrence 
that  such  would  prove  futile. 

jtll — Esperanza  mine,  Sonoma  County,  September,  1916 — 150  lb. 
taken  in  the  mine  b}'  the  writer,  through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Carlos  G. 
White,  part  owner.  The  cinnabar,  which  is  coarsely  crystalline,  occurs, 
in  part,  in  serpentine  and  is  also  found  disseminated  in  sandstone. 
There  is  also  a  black  shale.  There  is  some  native  quicksilver.  The 
vein  minerals  are  quartz,  dolomite  ('/),  and  calcite;  and  some  chlorite 
is  associated  with  the  serpentine.  All  crushed  to  pass  JflO-mesh  iron- 
wire  screen  before  sampling.     Assayed  1.67%  mercury, 

#12— Bella  Union  mine,  Napa  County,  Mar.  15,  1917—410  lb.  from 
old  waste  dump.  The  material  is  ochreous,  and  is  made  up  largely  of 
serpentine  and  a  metamorphosed  rock,  probably  a  sediment,  somewhat 
silicified."  The  cinnabar  where  visible  is  crystalline  and  is  accom- 
panied by  a  little  pyrite.  Chlorite,  an  end  product  of  the  weathering 
of  the  serpentine  is  noticeably  present.  Crushed  to  V'  before  quarter- 
ing down  for  assay  sample.  Later,  entire  sample  screened  through  #10 
mesh  for  table  concentration.     Assayed  0.14%   mercury. 

#13— Bella  Union  mine.  Napa  County,  Mar.  15,  1917—325  lb.  of  ore 
from  underground  workings,  not  ochreous.  Largely  of  serpentine — 
and  a  metamorphosed  rock  which  seems  to  be  in  process  of  serpentin- 


^See  Becker,  U.  S.  G.  S.  Mon.  XIII,  p.  377. 
1!)— 38540 


2f)0  C'AIJIOKNIA    STA'I'i;    MINIXC    HI   KKAT. 

ization.  ('hlorilc  iiccoinpaiiics.  'llir  ciiiuahai'  is  coarsely  .•ry.stalliiie 
and  massive,  oeciirrin.ii'  in  part  as  veinlets.  Quartz  also  occur-  in  vein- 
lets,  and  there  is  a  litlle  ii'on  sidpliide  present,  ("rushed  to  V'  before 
(luarteriuy  down  for  assay  saini)le.  Later,  entii-e  sample  screened 
thronjiii  #l<i  mesh  for  table  eoiu-enti-ation.  Assa\ed  iloOy,  mercury. 
Samples  #12  and  if  1:5  were  sent  by  ^Mr.  Kog-er  \j.  Beals  throug'h  the 
courtesy  of  Mv.  W.  II.   Ilaiinlton,  attorney  for  the  owners. 

#14 — La  Joya  mine,  xXapa  County,  Mar.  15.  l!)17 — 45  lb.  taken  by 
shovel  sample  from  a  10-ton  lot  in  retort  drier  bin,  and  sent  by  Mr.  R.  H. 
Broughton,  superintendent.  Ore  from  'Big  Stope'  on  nmin  adit  level. 
Recovery  for  month  of  March,  with  the  old  Livermore  ( ?Pitzgerald) 
furnace  on  this  ore  averaged  one  flask  per  day  from  6  tons  treated. 
From  retort  tests  this  ore  was  estimated  to  carry  1%  mercury.  This 
sample  assayed  2.09%  mercury.  It  consisted  of  serpentine  and  meta- 
morphic  sandstone,  in  part  ochreous,  with  considerable  chlorite  asso- 
ciated with  the  serpentine.  The  cinnabar  was  coarsely  crystalline,  and 
occurred  massive,  in  veinlets,  and  disseminated  in  the  sandstone. 
There  was  a  little  pyrite  and  calcite  and  considerable  elialcedouy.  All 
screened  through  #16  mesh  before  sampling. 

#15 — Helen  mine.  Lake  C-ounty,  April,  1917 — 5  lb.  grai)  sample  taken 
by  the  writer  from  the  remains  of  the  sample  of  T.  I).  Kirwan,*  orig- 
inally 150  lb.  of  'mine-run'  ore.  It  consisted  mainly  of  serpentine, 
opal,  and  shale.  The  cinnabar  was  mainly  crystalline,  and  accompanied 
by  a  noticeable  proportion  of  pyrite.  All  screened  through  #100  mesh 
before  sampling  for  assay.  Assayed  1.75%.  mercury.  Twelve  assays 
by  Kirwan  varied  from  1.7()%   to  1.83%;  average  1.79%  mercury. 

#18 — Sulphur  Bank  mine.  Lake  County,  Apr.  IS.  1917 — 40  Tn.  fi-om 
a  cut  about  175  feet  northwest  of  the  hoist.  The  i-ock  is  a  finely  vesicu- 
lar basalt,  largely  leached  white  by  the  thermal  watei-s.  The  sample 
contained  considerable  native  sulphur  in  ci'ystals.  and  cinnabar,  asso- 
ciated with  opal  which  was  mainly  black  with  some  white.  There  was 
a  little  'paint'  cinnabar  very  fine  and  eailliy  in  the  opal,  similai-  to 
that  in  the  (i(»ldl)ank  ore.  Most  of  the  ciniuibai'  was  distinctly  cry- 
stalline, and  some  tine,  needle-like,  prismatic  crystals  were  noted.  All 
screened  through  #1()  mcsli  hd'oi-e  cutting  out  sample  Assa.ved  5.96%- 
mercurv. 

In  crushing  a  portion  of  this  oi'c  through  the  disk  gi'indei-  to  pass 
lOO-mesh  screen  (for  flotation  tests),  the  odor  given  off  resend)led  that 
of  acet.vlene ;  and  it  was  jiecessary  to  feed  intei-mittentl.v  on  account 
of  the  frictiotud  heat  melting  the  Tiative  sulphur  if  I'eil  continuousl.v. 
The  u'round  ore  was  \cr\-  liulit  and  voluminous,  and  showed  a  slightly 
acid  reaction  on  litnnis  pa|)er  in  watei-.      It  seemed  to  be  h.vgroscopie, 


*T'^npuT)lislifil.      .<•'(■    i-\li-:icl    fi-(im    his    seilcinonts.    iiiKic-r    lldtatidii    trsts.    post. 


QUICKSILVER    KESOURCES.  291 

as  ill  a  sliort  time  after  grinding  it  again  became  moist,  though  well 
dried  out  before  grinding.  To  intelligently  deal  with  siieh  an  ore,  a 
complete  chemical  analysis  should  be  made.  Becker  states-*^  that  "the 
gases  escaping  from  the  waters  are  carbon  dioxide,  hydrogen  sulphide, 
sulphur  dioxide,  and  marsh  gas.  The  waters  contain  chiefly  carbonates, 
borates,  and  chlorides  of  sodium,  potassium  and  ammonium;  but  alka- 
line sulphides  are  also  present." 

Samples  ifl6  to  #10  inclusive,  of  30-40  lb.  each  were  sent  from  the 
Sulphur  Bank  mine  by  ]\[r.  W.  G.  Luckhardt,  superintendent,  through 
the  eourtesy  of  ^Ir.  G.  T.  Ruddock,  owner.  As  they  were  received  just 
as  tlie  author's  experimental  work  was  being  brought  to  a  close,  lack 
of  time  prevented  investigating  them,  except  for  a  few  preliminary 
tests  on  #18,  which  was  selected  as  typical  of  the  group  and  especially 
because  of  the  notable  proportion  of  native  sulphur  carried. 


■Becker,  G.  F.,  Geology  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope;  U.  S.  G.  S., 
Mon.   XIII,  p.   463.   1888. 


I 


292 


CAIJFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


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QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  293 

Summary  of  screen  analyses. 

By  an  examination  of  the  table  of  screen  analyses,  herewith,  the  fol- 
lowing will  be  noted: 

Oat  Hill  fines  (Sample  ftl)— 43%  of  the  total  value  is  in  —80;  while 
over  26%  is  in  —  20  +  48 ;  balance  being  about  equally  distributed 
between  +  20  and  —  48  +  80. 

JEtna  bumper  tailings  (Sample  #3) — practically  80%  of  total  value 
is  about  equally  divided  between  —  20  -(-  48  and  —  80,  with  the 
latter  in  the  lead.  Balance  about  equally  divided  between  -{-  20 
and  —  48  +  80. 

^tna— flotation  tailings  from  test  on  bumper  tails  ( — 100)  (Sample 
PK5A)  —50%  of  total  value  is  in  —200  and  a  little  over  33% 
in  +  150. 

Parktield,  low  grade  (Sample  #5) — 45%  of  total  value  is  in  — 80, 
and  27%  in  —20  +  48;  with  67%,  of  balance  in  +20. 

St.  John's  (Sample  #8) — a  little  over  50%  of  total  value  is  in  — 20, 
and  nearly  25%  in  —  80 ;  with  90%  of  balance  in  —  20  +  48. 

Cambria  (Sample  #9) — over  50%  of  total  value  is  in  — 40,  and  about 
33%  in  +  20. 

Goldbanks  (Sample  #10)  ore  crushed  to — -16  mesh  —  nearly  50% 
of  total  value  is  in  —  20  +  48,  and  about  30%  in  —  80.  A  little 
over  10%.  in  +  20,  and  a  little  under  10%  in  —  48  +  80. 

Goldbanks  flotation  test  tailings  on  —  100-mesh  product  (Sample 
#10A11A)  showing  73%  extraction— 75%  of  total  value  is  in 
+  150.  and  a  little  over  20%  in  —  200.  Under  the  hand  lens,  cin- 
nabar seen  on  coarser  particles  in  all  three  sizes. 

Bella  Union  tailings  from  Deister  slime  concentrator  test  (Sample 
if  13  C)  on  —  16-mesh  product,  showing  30%  extraction — 44%  of 
total  value  is  in  —  20  +  65 ;  31%  in  —  150 ;  and  20%  in  +  20. 


294  CALIFORNIA    ST ATK    MINING   RrRKAU. 

CONCENTRATION  ON  TABLES  WITH  WATER. 

Tilt*  autlioi-'s  experimental  work  in  the  iiietaliurgieal  laboratory  and 
mill  of  the  Department  of  Mining'  and  ^Metallurgy,  University  of  Cali- 
foi-nia.  covered  two  periods  of  continuous  operation  8  hours  daily — 
^[arch  -2  to  April  15,  1916,  and  February  8  to  May  12,  1917.  In  addi- 
tion to  tliis  some  weeks  were  spent  each  year,  in  the  course  of  field  work 
for  the  State  Mining  Bureau,  ])articularly  September  and  October, 
1917,  in  gathering  data  on  and  obsei'viug  the  operation  of  plants  at  the 
various  ciuicksilver  mines  throughout  tlie  State. 

Rolls  were  used  to  crush  the  samples  for  concentration  because  they 
have  been  found  to  produce  a  iiiiiiiiiium  of  slimed  material.  Cinnabar 
being  very  friable,  'grinding'  should  be  avoided  if  possible,  otherwise 
the  sulphide  will  be  slimed  and  it  will  then  float  away  or  remain  in  sus- 
pension until  after  it  passes  out  the  tail-race.  Crushing  and  screening 
were  done  on  the  dry  ore.  Three  tables  were  used:  a  regulation,  stand- 
ard-size Wilfley;  a  small,  laboratory  model  Wilfley-type  machine,  built 
in  the  shop  of  the  department  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Christy 
shortly  l)efore  his  death;  a  half-size  Deister  slime  concentrator  installed 
in  April.  1917, — a  gift  to  the  College  of  ^Mining  from  the  Joshua  Ilcndy 
Iron  Woi-ks  and  the  Deister  Concentrator  Company.  The  standard 
Wilfley  operated  at  250  r.  p.  m..  and  the  laboratory  model  at  225  i-.  }>.  m. 
These  speeds  are  about  right,  but  the  'bump'  at  the  end  of  the  stroke  is 
not  decided  enough — it  should  l)e  sharper.  A  small  test-run  was  also 
made  on  a  new  model  Gates  tal)le  at  the  Bay  City  Iron  Works.  Oakland. 
Samples  #1.  6.  7.  11,  and  18  were  treated  on  the  small,  laboratory  model ; 
and  tf9.  12,  and  13  on  the  Deister. 

The  concentrate  discharge  of  the  WilHey  table  was  so  aiTanged  at 
first,  that  when  running  samples  #2,  3,  an<l  5.  it  was  necessary  to  get  a 
part  of  the  heavier  tailings  in  with  the  middlings  and  a  part  of  the  mid- 
dlings in  the  concentrates.  The  table  could  not  be  flattened,  without 
throwing  all  ofthe  middlings  into  the  concentrate  trough.  For  samples 
$4  and  8. — a  double-spout  trough  was  i)ut  on  at  the  end  of  the  table 
so  that  the  deck  could  be  run  flatter,  and  thus  spread  out  the  concen- 
trates and  middlings,  permitting  a  cleaner  separation  of  them.  The  oiv 
was  fed  by  hand  with  a  scoop  into  a  stream  of  water  in  a  12-foot  section 
of  launder  leading  to  the  feed-box  of  the  table.  It  was  realized  that 
this  would  not  give  as  complete  a  mixing  of  the  ore  and  water  as  would 
be  obtained  in  a  plant  under  normal  continuous-operating  conditions; 
but  it  had  to  serve  the  purpox'  during  oni-  experiments. 

The  following  samples,  #2,  3,  4.  5,  and  S.  weiv  imim  ovn-  the  standard 
Wilfley  table: 

Sample  {2— Oat  Hill  mine.  This  was  crushed  to  pass  #4-mesh  Avire 
screen  Ix-fori-  treating.     In  concentrating,  the  cinnabar  and  the  pyrite 


QUICKsn.VKK    RESOURCES.  295 

showt'd  iti  two  fiiirly  distinct  l)aiKl.s.  on  the  tal)lc.  Willi  proper  criish- 
ing.  siziiiii'.  and  classification  of  sndi  an  ore  before  feeding  to  the  con- 
centrator, an  aiipreciable  proportion  of  tiie  pyrite  could  be  eliminated 
on  the  ta})U'  l)y  a  suitabh^  cut  at  the  discharge.  The  tailings  assayed 
0.083%  mercnry,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of  95.8%.  The  middlings 
assayed  0..34%,  and  the  concentrates  22.20%  mercury,  as  compared  with 
1.99%  mercury  in  the  heads.  The.se  were  unusually  good  results  con- 
sidering the  coarseness  of  the  feed. 

Sample  j3 — Aetna  mine.  Of  this  sample,  270  lb.  were  put  over  the 
AYiltley  table,  the  tailings  assaying  0.185%  mercury,  against  0.385% 
in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of  52%.  The  middling's 
assayed  0.25<^( .  and  the  concentrates  5.16%.  In  clearing  the  table  at 
the  end  of  the  test,  it  was  noticed  that  there  was  considerable  fine  cinna- 
bar on  the  bottom  between  the  riffles,  even  well  up  toward  the  head, 
that  did  not  seem  to  move  much  either  forward  or  back.  This  was 
probably  attributable  to  the  lack  of  sharpness  in  the  jerk  of  the  table 
motion.  Accumulating  thus,  no  doubt  resulted  in  some  of  it  being 
washed  over  the  riffles  with  the  tailings.  The  coarser,  crystalline  cin- 
nabar of  the  Oat  Hill  sample  (#2),  did  not  act  in  this  manner.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  this  .Etna  ore  not  only  had  'paint'  cinnabar 
in  it  before  grinding,  but  that  it  had  been  ground  rather  fine  and  the 
coarser  cinnabar  taken  out  by  the  Colorado  bumping  tables.  As  shown 
by  the  screen  analyses  (see  ante),  approximately  40%  of  the  value  is 
in  the  —  80  material.  On  the  whole,  therefore,  this  sample  presented 
an  unfavorable  problem  for  the  table. 

A  100-lb.  portion  of  this  sample  was  taken  to  the  Bay  City  Iron 
Works  in  Oakland,  April  29.  1916,  and  run  over  a  new  model  Gates 
concentrating  table  set  up  there.  The  tailing's  from  this  test  assayed 
0.185%  mercury,  the  middlings  0.22%;  and  the  concentrates  2.52%. 
This  is  also  an  indicated  extraction  of  52%.  The  low  grade  of  the  con- 
centrate is  due  to  the  fact  that  a  considerable  portion  of  the  middling 
was  unavoidably  discharged  with  it.  In  a  regularly  installed  and 
equipped  plant,  provision  could  be  made  against  mixing. 

Sample  ;4 — .Etna  mine.  This  was  crushed  to  pa.ss  ii4-mesh  screen 
before  concentrating.  The  tailings  a.ssayed  0.042%  mercury,  against 
0.157%-  in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of  73%.  The  mid- 
dlings assayed  0.09%  and  the  concentrates  3.12%  mercury.  Consider- 
ing the  low  grade  of  the  heads  and  tlie  coarse  feed,  this  was  a  better 
result  than  might  have  been  expected. 

Sample  Jo — Pai'kfield  mine.  This  was  crushed  to  pa.ss  }10-mesh 
screen  before  concentrating.  The  tailings  assayed  0.19%  mercury, 
against  0.45'^;  in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of  57.8%.  The 
middlings  a.ssayed  0.175%.  and  the  concentrates  10.24%  mercury.     As 


296  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

sliown  by  the  screen  analyses,  45%  of  the  value  in  this  ore  as  cruslied  to 
jflO  mesh  was  in  the  — 80  mesh  product.  Finely  ground  cinnabar  is 
dit^cult  to  recover,  particularly  with  an  unelassitied  feed,  as  we  were 
t)bligt'd  to  handle  it  in  these  tests. 

Sample  #8 — St.  John's  mine.  This  was  crushed  to  pas.s  if6-mesh 
screen  before  concentrating.  The  tailings  assayed  0.29%  mercury, 
against  ().499f  in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of  but  41%. 
The  middlings  assayed  0.54%,  and  the  concentrates  5.50%.  Refer- 
ence to  the  screen  analyses  shoAvs  a  little  over  50%  of  the  total  value 
in  the  -|-  20-mesh  material,  when  cru.shed  -to  pass  6-mesh.  It  is  very 
evident  that  the  ore  should  have  been  crushed  finer  before  concentrat- 
ing, as  much  of  the  cinnabar  was  not  released  from  the  enclosing 
gangue. 

The  following  samples.  ^1,  6,  7.  11  and  18,  were  concentrated  on  the 
small,  laboratory  machine.     No  middlings  samples  were  taken  : 

Sample  Jl — Oat  Hill  mine.  This  was  crushed  to  pass  #10-mesh 
screen  before  concentrating.  The  tailings  assayed  0.325%  mercury, 
against  3.88%  in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of  91.6%.  The 
concentrates  assayed  31.64%,  mercury.  The  screen  analyses  showed 
43%  of  the  total  value  of  this  sample  in  the  — 80-mesh  product  from 
10-mesh  crushing,  and  26%  in  the  — 20 -j- -i^-  The  cinnabar  being 
entirely  crystalline  and  fairly  coarse,  while  the  gangue  was  friable  and 
required  but  little  crashing  to  release  the  cinnabar,  made  a  high  recov- 
ery possible  by  concentration.  This  was  also  the  case  with  sample  ^2, 
from  the  same  mine.  The  Oat  Hill  ore  being  a  friable  sandstone  with 
disseminated  crystals  of  cinnabar,  is  particularly  amenable  to  table  con- 
centration. The  classification  of  the  cinnabar  from  the  pyrite  was  also 
noticeable  Avith  this  sample  as  with  #2  on  the  larger  table. 

Sample  #6 — Parkfield  mine.  This  was  crushed  to  pa.ss  :lf  10-mesh 
screen  before  concentrating.  The  tailings  assayed  0.35%  mercury, 
against  1A2%  in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of  75.5%.  The 
concentrates  assayed  3.76%  mercury.  From  a  comparison  with  the 
results  on  sample  #5,  a  lower  grade  material  from  the  same  properly,  it 
seems  probable  that  the  tailings  lo.ss  is  in  both  the  - —  80-mesh  material 
and  the  unreleased  sulphide. 

Sample  #7 — Big  Injun  mine.  This  sample  was  ei'ushed  to  approx- 
iinjitely  #20  mesh,  but  not  screened,  as  tiie  native  quicksilver  would  have 
amalgamated  with  the  brass.  The  tailings  assayed  0.31%  mercury, 
against  1.39'/;  in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of  77.7%.  The 
concentrate  assayed  4.48%  mercury.  The  differences  in  the  specific 
gravities  of  the  several  heavier  constituents  of  this  ore  were  well  illus- 
trateil  in  llie  chissification  shown  on  the  table  at  the  concentrate  dis- 
ehai'ge.  At  the  back,  first  came  the  native  quicksilver  (sp.  gr.  13.6)  ; 
next  the  cinnabar   (sp.  gr.  8.1)  ;  then  a  black  mineral,  probably  mag- 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  297 

netite  (sp.  gr.  5.17)  ;  and  finally  pyrite  (sp.  gr.  5.0)  in  the  edge  of  the 
middlings.  The  low  grade  of  the  concentrate  is  due  to  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  middlings  being  mixed  in. 

Sample  #11 — Esperanza  mine.  This  sample  was  crushed  to  pass  a 
iflO-mesh  iron-wire  screen  before  concentrating.  The  tailings  assayed 
0.43%  mercury,  against  1.67%  in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction 
of  74.3%.  The  concentrates  assayed  12.02%  mercury.  It  was  evi- 
dent from  the  appearance  of  the  material  on  the  table,  that  a  10-mesh 
feed  was  too  coarse.  Also,  the  lack  of  complete  wetting  of  the  ore 
resulted  in  values  floating  away  over  the  tailings  discharge. 

Sample  #18 — Sulphur  Bank  mine.  This  sample  was  crushed  to  pass 
a  ifl6-mesh  screen  before  concentrating.  The  tailings  assayed  2.72% 
mercury,  against  5.96%  in  the  heads,  or  an  indicated  extraction  of 
54.5%.  The  concentrate  assayed  17.16%  mercury.  As  noted  in  the 
description  of  this  sample  (see  p.  290,  ante),  the  ground  ore  was  very 
light  and  voluminous.  For  lack  of  proper  wetting  and  mixing  of  the 
pulp,  both  cinnabar  and  native  sulphur  could  be  seen  floating  away 
over  the  tailings  discharge.  They  were  carried  in  a  film  on  top  of  the 
water.  No  middling  sample  was  taken,  but  unreleased  cinnabar  was 
noted  in  some  of  the  coarser  material  in  the  tailings.  This  small  table 
operated  at  225  r.  p.  m.,  which  w^as  apparently  too  slow.  It  did  not 
have  a  sufficiently  sharp  and  positive  motion. 

The  following  samples,  #9,  12,  and  13,  were  treated  on  the  Deister 
slime  concentrator: 

Sample  #9 — Cambria  mine.  This  sample  was  crushed  to  pass  a  #10 
mesh  iron-wire  screen  before  concentrating.  It  was  the  author's  inten- 
tion to  run  this  sample  on  the  new  Deister-Overstrom  sand  table  that 
had  been  put  in  the  mill  at  the  same  time  as  the  slime  table,  and  the 
test  was  so  started.  As  the  sand  table  proved  not  to  be  in  proper 
adjustment,  the  test  was  transferred  to  the  slime  table,  but  the  feed 
was  too  coarse  for  it.  The  'tailings'  showed  only  about  15%  extrac- 
tion, and  there  was  much  coarse  sand  that  went  over  the  concentrate 
discharge.  The  'concentrates'  were  afterwards  cleaned  b}^  panning 
and  quite  a  large  globule  (about  f  inch  across)  of  native  quicfeilver 
was  obtained  with  the  cinnabar. 

Sample  #12 — Bella  Union  mine.  This  sample  was  crushed  to  pass 
#16-mesh  screen  before  concentrating.  The  table  looked  to  be  working 
fairly  well  with  this  material,  but  the  assays  show  an  extraction  of 
only  35%  (tailings  0.09%  Hg)  and  a  concentrate  carrying  2.68%  mer- 
cury, from  heads  of  0.14%.  No  separate  middling  product  was  made, 
this  material  being  divided  between  the  tailings  and  the  concentrates. 
Some  cinnabar  was  noted  adhering  to  coarser  portions  of  the  gangue. 
To   begin   with,   this   was   a    rather   low-grade  material   to   attempt  to 


298  CALTFORXIA    STA'I'I':    .MI.\IX(;    I'.lRKAr. 

liamilo  oil  a  oommoreial  scale  With  (|iii('ksilver  at  ^100  j^ci-  flask-,  siidi 
an  'or(>'  would  have  a  value  of  hut  :^'-].10  per  ton. 

Sample  lfl3 — Bella  Union  mine.  This  sample  was  ei-ushed  to  i»ass 
4{16-mesh  screen  before  coneentratinf?.  Tlie  tailings  assayed  0.35% 
mercury,  auainst  0.50%  in  the  heads,  oi'  an  indicated  extraction  of  but 
30%i.  The  concentrates  assayed  4.48%  mercury.  A  separate  mid- 
dlingvs  product  was  not  made,  this  material  being  divided  between  the 
concentrates  and  tailings.  It  was  noted  during  the  run  on  this  ore 
that  tlat  pieces  of  the  coarser  cinnabar  would  ride  along  on  top  of  the 
gangue.  particularly  in  the  middlings  area,  and  finally  be  washed  over 
into  the  tailings  launder.  The  wi-iter  was  informed  by  Mr.  S.  E. 
"Woodworth  of  the  firm  of  Hamilton,  Heauehamp  and  AVoodworth  who 
had  made  a  series  of  milling  tests  on  ore  from  this  mine,  that  they  had 
noted  the  same  behavior  in  their  experiments;  and  that  the  ore  required 
ci'ushing  to  40-50  mesh  before  this  tendency  could  be  overcome, — that 
is.  before  the  particles  were  crushed  fine  enough  to  lack  that  flatness 
which  caused  them  to  ride  on  top  of  the  gangue.  The  coarser,  cry- 
stalline cinnabar  in  the  Bella  Union  ore  has  a  platy  structure.  Refer- 
eiu-e  to  the  screen  analyses  {ante)  on  the  tailings  from  this  test  shows 
44%  of  the  total  value  in  the  —20  +  65  material.  31%  in  —150.  and 
20%  in  -r  20. 

Sample  %\A — La  -Joya  mine.  Tliis  sample  was  crushed  to  pass  JliJ 
mesh  screen.  Xo  tal)le  test  run  was  nuide  on  this  ore,  as  the  sample 
was  small  aiul  it  was  evident  after  a  panning  test  that  table  concen- 
tration, alone,  would  make  a  low  recovery.  In  panning,  the  slimed 
cinnabar  floated  off  in  air  bubbles  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  There 
was  an  abundant  concentrate  of  the  coarser,  crystalline  cinnabar,  but 
much  cinnabar  was  washed  overboard  due  to  being  held  in  uncrushed 
l)al•ticlt^s  of  the  gangue.  A  combination  treatment  of  flotation  (for  the 
fines)  and  tabling  (for  the  coarse)  wtiuld  pi-oliably  yield  a  good  i-ecov- 
ci'v  from  this  ore. 

Summary    re   table   concentration    tests. 

The  Otic  point  which  impressed  itself  most  strongly  upon  th(>  writer 
during  these  experiments  was  the  necessit.v  for  classification  of  feed 
when  concentrating.  The  table  (or  belt  machine,  either)  is  not  made 
which  can  successfully  concenti-ate  materials  of  moi-e  than  a  narrow 
range  in  size  at  a  single  operation.  Another  point  is,  that  apparently 
'paint'  and  .slimed  cinnabar  ar(^  not  recoverable  l\v  tables,  as  such  prod- 
ucts remain  in  suspension  in  the  i)uli>.  even  float  off  as  a  film  on  the 
surface  of  the  wafci-.  It  must  l)c  borne  in  mind  that  these  experi- 
ments were  eari-ied  out  under  .somewhat  unfavoi'ablc  circumstances,  at 
least  so  far  as  irregularities  of  pulp  consistence  were  concerned,  and 
the  irreLfularifics  of  |)ulp  flow  resulting' fi'om  the  intcrmiltenee  of  hand 


qUICKSILVKR    RESOURCES.  299 

feeding'.  Tn  spite  of  these  irreoularities,  excellent  results  were 
obtained  ■vitli  the  favorable  Oat  Hill  samples,  and  fair  results  with  cer- 
tain others  which  could  b(>  i)nproved  upon  with  more  favora])le  manip- 
ulation. Native  quicksilver  is  readily  recoverable  by  tables,  though 
large  globules  have  a  tendency  to  roll  around  and  jump  the  riffles 
instead  of  advancing  along  them.  In  view  of  the  excellent  results 
obtained  at  New  Idria  with  the  vSeun  pan-motion  amalgamator  oper- 
ating on  soot,  this  machine  would  doubtless  work  well  on  ores  carrying 
native  quicksilver.  Possibly  a  settler  witli  revolving  arms,  similar  to 
the  settlers  used  in  the  old  Washoe-pan  process  of  silver  amalgamation, 
would  work  well  on  such  ores. 


3U0 


CALIFORNIA    STAPH    iMIXINC    BUREAr 


CONCENTRATION  BY  FLOTATION  WITH   OILS. 

Al'l'ARATUS. 

In  the  first  few  flotation  tests  made  by  the  author  in  this  series,  in 
March,  1916,  a  Hyde  ('Slide')  machine  was  used,  but  clamped  and  the 
pulp  allowed  to  overflow  (see  Photo  No.  71).  In  the  balance  of  the 
series,  in  February-April,  1917.  which  covered  a  far  greater  range  of 
ores  and  oils,  and  a  greater  nuinl)er  of  tests,  the  Case  (Hoover  type) 
laboratory  flotation  machine  was  employed.  (See  Photo  No.  72.) 
These  and  various  other  laboratory,  testing  units  are  well  described  by 
Ralston  and  Allen^  in  the  most  complete  paper  as  yet  published  on 
this  phase  of  flotation  practice,  and  to  which  the  reader  is  referred  for 
more  detail  than  is  here  given. 


Photo   No.   71.     Hyde    ('Slide')    Laboratory    Flotation    Machine,    as    used    in    the    metailurgical 
laboratory   of   the    Department   of    Mining,    University   of    California. 

As  above  stated,  the  Slide  or  Hyde  laboratory  flotation  machine  as 
used  by  the  author  was  clamped  so  that  the  upper  and  lower  parts 
were  not  separable.  A  tin  pan  was  soldered  around  the  top  (see  Photo 
No.  71),  to  act  as  a  sloping  discharge  launder  for  the  overflowing  froth 
and  concentrate.  Sub-aeration  was  introduced  through  the  tube  shown 
at  the  left,  drawn  in  by  suction  of  the  propeller  blades  in  the  bottom 
of  the  agitation  compartment.  Power  was  furnished  l)y  a  60-cycle, 
^  h.  p.,  220-volt,  4-amp.  induction  motor  at  1800  r.  p.  m..  driving  the 
agitator  shaft  at  1500  r.  p.  m.  A  charge  of  300  grams  of  ore  with 
2400  cc.  of  tap  water  (temperature  20°-25°  C.)  was  used.  The  water 
was  first  put  in.  the  air  tube  closed,  motor  started  and  10  drops  of  oil 


'Ralston,    O.    C    and    AUen,    G.    L.,    Testing    ores    for    flotation    process:   Min.    and 
Scientific  Press,  Vol.    112.  pp.    8-13,   1916. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


301 


added.  After  2  minutes  agitation,  for  the  oil  and  water  to  emulsify, 
the  ore  was  added  in  a  small  steady  stream,  and  allowed  to  agitate  for 
2  minutes  before  opening  the  air-supply  tube.  Agitation  was  then 
continued  for  20  to  25  minutes,  during  whieh  the  froth  arising  was 
occasionally  raked  off  with  a  spatula  on  a  level  with  the  top  of  the 
agitation  compartment.     At  the   close  of  the  test,  the  tailings  were 


Photo  No.   72.     Case   Laboratory   Flotation   Machine. 

drawn  off  through  an  opening  in  the  bottom  of  the  agitation  compart- 
ment. Both  tailings  and  concentrates  samples  were  dried  and 
weighed. 

At  the  end  of  all  tests,  both  with  the  Hyde  and  the  Case  apparatus, 
the  inside  of  the  machine  was  thoroughly  wa.shed  out  to  avoid  contam- 
ination of  the  oils  used. 

The  Case  (Hoover  type)  Flotation  Machine  (see  Photo  No.  72)  is 
a  laboratory  unit  built  by  the  Denver  Fire  Clay  Company,  Denver, 


302 


CALU-UKNIA   STAli;    .MIXING    BLHKAT. 


Colo.  It  consists  of  a  sinLilc  alninimiiii  casting  comprising  the  agita- 
tion cell  and  a  spitzkasten  for  the  collection  of*  the  froth.  Within  the 
agitation  cell  are  hung'  the  shaft  and  imiieller,  the  four  l)lad»'S  of  which 
ai-e  set  at  !)(>".  The  steel  shaft  is  coated  with  lead  and  the  impeller 
hlades  are  made  of  an  aHoy  to  resist  the  corrosive  action  of  acids.  A 
piece  of  heavy  rubber  tubing  connects  the  spitzkasten  and  agitation 
cell  at  the  bottom.  About  half  \\a\-  down  from  the  toj)  of  the  spitz- 
kasten. an  opening  (^  inch  high  x  1   inch  wide)   in  the  wall  also  eon- 


Photo    No.    73.      Froth   on  a    Flotation   Test  with   the   Case   Machine. 

nects  with  the  agitation  compartment.  This  opening  is  controlled  by 
a  vertical,  slotted  plate,  with  m  baffle  at  its  lower  end.  When  the 
machine  is  in  opei'ation  the  i)iilp  and  f'rotli  work  from  the  agitation 
compartment,  through  this  opening  1o  llie  spit/.Uasfen  from  which  tlie 
gangue  on  settling  to  the  bottom  is  drawn  throiigli  the  rubber  tube  by 
the  suction  of  the  im|)eller  blailes  back  into  tlie  agitation  compartment. 
This  gives  a  continuous  circulation  of  the  i>nl|)  through  the  two  cells 
as   long  as   the   test   lasts.     The   impeller  shaft    is   driven   by   a   d.    K. 


QUICKSILVKH    HKSUL'KCES.  303 

indiu-tidii  iiioloi'.  type  DSS,  W33,  220  volts,  i  li.  p.  (iO  cycles,  operating 
at  ISOO  r.  p.  111.  The  larger  two  of  the  pulleys  give  the  impeller 
speeds  of  1800  and  1300  r.  p.  in.,  respectively.  A  lip  on  the  edge  of 
the  spitzkasten  provides  for  the  overtlow  of  the  froth  (see  Photo  No. 
I'-U.  which  may  also  be  skimmed  oft'  from  time  to  time  witli  the  small 
metal  hoe  pi'ovided. 

In  the  earlier  tests  by  the  writer  with  tlie  Case  machine,  the  impeller 
was  started,  and  2000  ce.  of  tap  water  put  in — temperature  22°  ±  C, 
I  lien  10  drops  of  oil  added.  After  running  two  minutes  to  allow  the 
oil  and  water  to  emulsify,  500  grams  of  ore  ( — 100  mesh)  were  added 
gradually.  After  10-15  minutes,  as  the  volume  of  pulp  and  froth 
required  to  give  an  overflow  became  reduced,  more  oil  and  water  were 
added,  gradually.  The  capacity  of  the  machine  is  3000  ec.  The  test 
was  continued  for  a  total  of  20-30  minutes,  or  as  long  as  any  concen- 
trate seemed  to  make  its  appearance  on  the  top  of  the  froth.  There 
was  no  sub-aeration  in  the  Case  machine,  as  with  the  Hyde. 

Following  the  first  few  tests,  the  order  of  adding  oil  and  ore  was 
reversed.  Also,  a  ]Mohr  pipette  of  1  cc.  total  capacity,  graduated  to 
0.01  cc,  was  employed  for  measuring  the  quantity  of  oil  used.  In  the 
tal)ulations,  'drops'  of  oil  have  been  converted  to  cubic  centimeters,  in 
the  figures  representing  the  earlier  experiments.  The  impeller  was 
started,  with  2000  ce.  of  water ;  then  500  grams  of  ore  added  gradually 
and  allowed  to  agitate  2-3  minutes  for  mixing,  with  the  side  hole 
closed.  Then,  the  oil  and  any  other  reagents  were  added,  following 
which  the  side  hole  was  opened,  and  the  test  proceeded  as  before. 
Time  of  treatment  was  counted  from  the  introduction  of  the  oil. 

In  most  of  the  tests  with  the  Case  apparatus,  the  impeller  was  driven 
at  1800  r.  p.  m. ;  but  a  few  were  run  at  1300  r.  p.  in. 

OILS   USED. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Niel  Nielsen,  Commissioner,  and  Mr. 
A.  C.  Gilleland,  chief  clerk  of  the  Trade  Commission  to  America  for  the 
Government  of  New  South  Wales,  stationed  in  San  Francisco,  the 
writer  received  samples  of  three  Australian  eucalyptus  oils,  which  were 
utilized  in  several  of  the  tests  detailed  herein.  These  have  been  desig- 
nated for  convenience  of  reference,  #1.  #2,  and  #3,  Eucalyptus, 
respectively.  The  descriptions  were  furnished  liy  the  donors,  and  the 
specific  gravity  determinations  were  made  by  the  writer. 

#1  Eucalyptus— Rectified  oil  of  the  'White  Top'  or  'Gully  Ash,' 
Eucahjpius  smith  ii,  R.  T.  B.,  from  New  South  Wales  and  Victoria. 
One  of  the  richest  in  eucalyptol,  and  containing  no  phellandi-ene. 
Specific  gravity  0.912. 

#2  Eucalytus — Crude  oil  of  the  'Broad-leaved  Peppermint', 
EucaJyptus  dives  Schau.  from  New  South  Wales  and  Victoria.  It 
consists  largely  of  the  terpene  phellandrene,  eucalyptol,  being  present 


304  CALIFORNIA   STATP:   MINING  BUREAU. 

only  in  minute  quantity.  Thi.s  oil  is  largely  used  for  mineral  sepa- 
ration.    Specific  gravity  0.908. 

#3  Eucalyptus — 'Citronella,'  crude  oil  of  the  'Citron-scented  Gum,' 
Eucaljjptus  citriodora  Ilook,  from  Queensland.  It  consists  almost 
entirely  of  tlie  aldehyde  citronellal,  and  contains  no  eucalyptol.  Spe- 
cific gravity  0.874. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Frank  E.  Mariner,  president  of  the 
Pensacola  Tar  and  Turpentine  Company,  Gull  Point,  Florida,  samples 
of  a  number  of  their  pine  oils  were  received  and  utilized  in  various 
tests.  The  following  summary  of  the  constants  and  characteristics  of 
these  oils  is  condensed  from  the  company's  catalogues.  "The  con- 
stants given  are  averages.  Most  of  the  oils  are  crudes,  and  constants 
are  apt  to  vary  slightl.y,  though  not  sufficiently  to  interfere  with  prac- 
tical operations." 

^75_Crude  Wood  Turpentine.  Sp.  gr.  0.887.  Dis.  Pts. 
65°-217°  C.  Ref.  index  1.  456.  Viscosity,  0.9.  Non-poly- 
merizable  matter  10-12%. 
PO— Redistilled  Pine  Tar  Oil.  Sp.  gr.  0.982.  Dis.  Pts.  160°- 
368°  C.  Ref.  ind.  1.5636.  Vise.  5.8.  Non-polymerizable 
matter  (see  note).     It  is  free  from  pitchy  matter. 

p50_Special  Crude  Pine  Wood  Oil.  Sp.  gr.  1.019.  Dis.  Pts. 
70°-345°  C.  Ref.  ind.  1.525.  Vise.  2.9  Non-polymeriz- 
able matter  4%.  Has  a  low  pitch  content,  and  "is  not  a 
gangue  lifter  ordinarily,  but  combines  excellent  frothing 
and  collecting  qualities." 

#400— Crude  Wood  Creosote  Oil.  Sp.  gr.  1.025.  Dis.  Pts.  190°- 
360°  C.  Ref.  ind.  1.4977.  Vise.  2.9.  Non-polymerizable 
matter  (see  note).  A  mixture  of  pine  oil  and  wood  creo- 
sote oil  recovered  from  the  caustic  soda  still  bottoms  of 
the  refinery.  It  is  stated  to  be  an  excellent  all-round  flo- 
tation agent,  but  only  a  limited  quantity  of  it  is  recovered. 

#750— Heavy  Pine  Tar  Oil.  Sp.  gr.  1.063.  Dis.  Pts.  165°-350°  C. 
Ref.  ind.  1.557.  Vise.  41%.  Non-polymerizable  matter 
(see  note).  It  is  "the  total  crude  dropped  out  of  the 
steam  rougher  still  after  the  light  products  have  been  taken 
off,  and  therefore  contains  some  pitchy  matter.  It  is  a 
good  collector  find  is  extensively  used." 
#1580— CVmibination  Pine  Oil.  Sp.  gr.  0.980.  Dis.  Pts.  85°-352°  C. 
Ref.  ind.  1.5361.  Vise.  2.3.  Non-polymerizable  matter 
(see  note).  This  is  a  mixture  of  one  part  of  #80  (crude 
pine  oil)  with  two  parts  of  #15  (thin  rosin  oil).  "Appar- 
ently a  useful  oil  in  special  work  *  *  *  Joes  not  seem 
to  be  of  general  adapta])ility." 


I 


I 


I^UICKSILVER   RF:S()rRCES.  305 

Samples  of  Nos.  1"),  80,  and  '200  wci-c  also  received  l)iil  not  utili/ed. 
for  lack  of  time. 

Note:  ''Tlie  heavier  oils  which  contain  more  or  less  redistilled  i-osin 
oils  or  heavy  tar  oils  cannot  be  successfully  tested  for  Non-polymeriz- 
able  matter  by  the  sulphuric  acid  test." 

From  samples  in  the  storeroom  of  the  metallurgical  laboratory,  the 
following-  oils  were  utilized  in  certain  tests: 

Calol  Flotation  Oil  "B",  Standard  Oil  Company.  Richmond.  Cal. 
Sp.  gv.  0.878-0.892.  A  compound  of  mainly  mineral  oil,  with  some 
pine  products. 

A  California  crude  petroleum,  of  asphaltic  base,  from  "Well  #16, 
Sec.  15"  (probably  Midway  field)  ;  15°  ±  Baume,  or  1.115  sp.  gr.  In 
those  tests  where  this  oil  was  employed,  it  was  added  before  the  pine 
oil ;  but  in  no  case  did  it  give  any  appreciable  froth,  alone. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  S.  S.  Skelton,  of  the  Georgia  Pine  Tur- 
pentine Company,  the  author  has  received  samples  of  several  of  their 
notation  oils  since  the  laboratory  experimental  work  was  closed;  and 
regrets  that  lack  of  time  has  prevented  utilizing  these  oils  in  some  fur- 
ther tests. 

EXPERIMENTAL  DATA. 

The  tabulation  herewith  gives  in  condensed  form  the  results  of  the 
tests  made  by  the  writer.  They  are  all  shown,  — good,  bad,  and  indif- 
ferent, that  comparison  may  be  had  of  the  variations  resulting  from 
changes  of  oils  with  the  same  ore,  changes  of  ores  with  the  same  oil, 
changes  of  dilution  of  pulp,  changes  of  agitation  speed,  and  other  pos- 
sible combinations.  The  'indicated'  percentage  of  extraction  {i.  e., 
tails:  heads)  is  shown  rather  than  the  actual,  partly  because  it  involved 
a  simpler  calculation,  and  partly  because  the  results  on  the  whole  are 
merely  relative,  anyway.  A  sufficient  comparison  can  be  had  one  with 
another  so  long  as  they  are  all  calculated  upon  a  common  basis.  The 
necessary  elements  (weights  of  tailings  and  concentrates)  for  figuring 
actual  'recovery'  are  present  if  it  be  necessary  to  determine  it  in  any 
particular  ease.  The  concentrates  of  only  a  few  of  the  most  satisfac- 
tory tests  were  assayed.  It  was  anticipated  that  difficulty  would  be 
encountered  in  assaying  flotation  products,  particularly  concentrates, 
with  the  Whitton  apparatus.  It  did  not  prove  so,  in  most  instances. 
In  the  majority  of  cases,  there  seemed  not  to  be  enough  oil  present  to 
interfere,  neither  in  concentrates  nor  tailings.  This  was  particularly 
true  where  pine  products  were  utilized.  Where  a  mineral  oil  had  been 
used  in  the  combination,  it  was  necessary  to  wash  the  concentrate  sam- 
ple with  ether  before  assaying,  otherwise  the  results  were  low,  and  not 
concordant. 


20— .'5S540 


306 


CAI>IFOH\IA    STATE    ^TIXIXO    RIREAT'. 


DATA   OF 


1        9 

op 

is 

300 

300 
300 

300 

500 

'r. 

C 
v: 

Oil  used 

Otlier  reagent  added 

T 

■r. 

u 

3 

Kind 

Amount 

At  start 

o  — 

Nuinbt'i-  I'f  sample 

CO 

Total  added 
later,  cc. 

o"3 

si 

3  * 
CI4 

80 

80 
80 

SO 

100 

#350  P. 

1500   P. 
2  Euc. 

Calol   B. 

#75  P. 

0.47 

0.38 
0.35 

0.34 

0.34 

20 

20 
20 

20 

5ii 

1 

8:1 

q-R?                                       

8:1 

8:1 

qT3Q 

8:1 

^K2                     --        --   — -   — 

0.51 

(a)NaOH 
5cc. 

10  CO. 

r>:i 

3K3                              - 

500 

100 

75  P. 

0.34 

0.6S 

(WHaSOi 
5cc. 

10  cc. 

40 

6:1 

^Tvi 

500 
500 

100 
100 

#2  Euc. 
#750  P. 

0.35 
0.40 

0.50 
0.70 

45 
So 

6:1 

'^K'l 

NaOH 
10  cc. 

5:1 

10  \6 

500 
500 

500 

100 
100 

100 

#400  P. 
#75  P. 

#75  P. 

0.47 
0.34 

0.23 
0.27 

2.'i 

30 

5:1 

in  A7 

6:1 

10  AS 

0.34 

0.07 

NaOH 
5  cc. 

30 

6:T 

10A9    

500 

100 

#2  Euc. 
#400  P. 

030 

0  15 

35 

5:T 

3K6     --        --     --       -  - 

500 

100 

0  40 

0  4'' 

NaOH 

40 

•l:T 

#750 

10  cc. 

0.90 

3K7 .. 

500 

100 

#350  P. 

0.40 

0.40 

NaOH 

20  cc. 

5  cc. 

1 

40 

0:T 

3K8   

500 

100     *io  p. 

0.40 

0.80 

NaOH 
20  cc. 

10  cc. 

35 

6:1 

3K9 

500 

100 

#750  P. 

0.60 

(c)linie 
61  gm. 

1 

30 

4:T 

i 

3K10   - - 

300 

100  1 

• 

#750  P. 

0.40 

0.30 

NaOH 
5  cc. 

5cc. 

30 

S:T 

3K5G    — 

500 

200 

#750  P. 

0.20 

NaOH 
10  cc. 

20 

4:T 

1 
1 

1 

(al  10%  NaOH.  goln.  us?d  in  all  tests  wlicic  noted. 

(b)  Cone.  HbS04  used. 

(c)  Slaked  lini"  pasto. 


OriCKMI.VER   RESOURCES. 


307 


FLOTATION    TESTS. 


V 

Tailings 

Concentrates 

Character  ami  behavior  of  froth 

3 

M 

> 

s 

V 

S 

3 

Remarks 

■3" 

h 

U 

"Hi 

g^ 

.J 

1^ 

J 

i^ 

«  0 

w 

& 

< 

& 

< 

hH 

Thin;      not     persistent;      small 

0.3S 

278 

0.255 

20 

34 

In  Hyde  machine. 

luil>liles. 

rair.  but  thin;  small  bubbles 

0.38 

277 

0.22 

21 

43 

In  Hyde  machine. 

Fair,  but  thin.    B<>tter  than  pre- 

0.3S 

273 

0.155 

24 

"2.55" 

60 

In  Hyde  machine. 

ceding  one.    Small  bubbles. 

V"rv  thin,  not  persistent.    Small 

0.3S 

277 

0.32 

12 

17 

In  Hyde  machine. 

bubbles. 

Froth   of   emulsion   subsideti   on 

0.3S 

433 

0.305 

43 

20 

In  Case  machine.     Oil 

addinp  ore.     Then,  practically 

put  in  before  ore. 

no  froth  till  addition  of  more 

oil    at    10    min.      Froth    thin. 

small       bubbles,       temporary, 

shallow. 

Froth   thin,   temporary   shallow. 

0.3S 

47S 

0.37 

16 

3 

In  Case  machine.     Oil 

Bubbles  fairly  large,  but  thin. 

put  in  before  ore. 

and  did  not  seem  to  carry  any 

sulphide. 

Froth      up      immediately.      but 

0.3S 

463 

0.22 

16 

42 

In  Case  machine.    Oil 

slowly.    Slightly  thick,  but  not 

put  in  before  ore. 

persistent.     Small  bubbles. 

At  start,  a  few  thin,  large  bub- 

0.3S 

463 

0.15 

11? 

60 

In  Case  machine.    Oil 

bles,  which  broke  quickly.  After 

put  in  before  ore. 

5     min.     adiled    NaOH.      Fair 

?— sample  pan  leaked. 

froth,     bubbles,     both     coarse 

and  fine,  somewhat  persistent. 

Thick,  persistent,  deep,  volumin- 

1.72 

403 

0.77 

94 

55 

Oil  in  before  ore. 

ous.     Bubbles  coarse. 

Thick,  persistent,  deep,  volumin- 

1.72 

454 

0.69 

42 

60 

Oil  in  before  ore. 

ous.     Coarse  and  fine  bubbles. 

On  adding  ore,  froth  rose  im- 

modiately. 

Thicker,    deeper,    coarser,    than 

1.72 

444 

0.63 

46 

^       63.4 

Oil  in  before  ore. 

preceding  test. 

Tailings   slow   to   set- 
tle:  liquid  milky. 

Froth    up    immediately.      Thick, 

1.72 

415 

0.635 

68 

63 

Oil  before  ore. 

deep,  persistent;  large  bubbles. 

In    balance    of    tests. 

As    the    oil    was    used    up,    the 

ore    put    in    before 

bubbles    became    smaller,    but 

oil. 

still  persistent. 

At  first,  a  few  thin,  coarse,  non- 

0.3S 

459 

0.30 

27 



21 

Tailings    slow   to    set- 

persistent   bubbles.      After    12 

tle.      This    ore    con- 

min. addod  #7.50.  Froth  thicker. 

tains  much  ochre. 

but  small  bubbles. 

Thin    froth    and    small    bubbles. 

0.3S 

412 

0.38 

49 

0 

Tailings  slow  to 

Thicker   on    addition    of   more 

settle. 

water:   also  deeper. 

A    very    little    thin    froth    imtil 

0.3S 

450 

0.36 

31 

5 

Tailings   slow   to   set- 

addition  of   more  oil   after  10 

tle,  in  all  tests  using 

min.      Then    fairly    deep    and 

XaOH. 

persistent,    with    both    coarse 

and    fine    bubbles.      .\    rather 

good  looking  froth,  but  s?emed 

to  raise  but  little  sulphide. 

Very     large,     coarse,     persistent 

0.3S 

500 

0.35 

25 

8 

After      drawing      ofT, 

bubbles:    deep    froth.      Raised 

pulp  settled  clear  in 

colloidal    ochre,    but    no    sul- 

few minutes. 

phide  visible. 

Froth    up.   with    sulphide   imme- 

0.3S 

263 

O.IS 

2S 

53 

Froth    not    thick    nor 

diately  on  adding  oil.    Medium 

persistent       enough. 

deep    ami    thick:    slightly    per- 

but  appeared  b<>tter 

sistent.     Raised    some    gangue. 

than     with     thicker 

Deeper   after   adding   more   oil 

pulp. 

and  caustic. 

On    adding    XaOH.    bofore    oil. 

0.16.1 

461 

0.165 

25 

0 

Sample    mad"    up    of 

froth    uii    innnediately    (prob- 

"'          (Total 

2.50      grams,      each. 

ably  from  oil  retained  in  pulp 

577c) 

from    tails    of    #3K5 

from    previous   charge).     Deep 

and       #.3X10       (see 

thick,    some    persistent:    small 

above)    —    original 

bubbles.     A  little  sulphide  but 

head     assay     (iM% 

gangue  also.    Probably  should 

Hg.     A   little  cinna- 

not     have      added      as     much 

bar      visible      in 

NaOH   or  oil. 

coarser  sand  of  dried 

tailings. 

M08 


CALIKORXIA    STATK    .MIXIX(i    BCRKAU. 

DATA   OF   FLOTATION 


Oil  used  I       Other  reagent  adUeil 


Number  of  sample 


Kind 


3Kn 


3K12 


8A6 


SAT 


lOAlO   500 


lOAll    500  '     100      «  Euf 


10A12 


300 

100 

500 

200 

500 

100 

490 

100 

500 

100 

500 

100 

Cal.  Cr. 
#750  P. 


#750  P. 


#3  Evic. 


#75  P. 


#2  Euc. 


300       100 


10A13    300       100 


10A14 


lOAllK 


lOAllL 


500       100 


407        200 


10A15   .--- -.1     300       100 


10A16   -..!     500       200 


Cal.  Cr. 
#750  P. 


Amount 


"       I     -So 

_■         -c  =^  At  start 


0.20      0.10 


NaOH 


0.40      0.30  5  cc. 


0.50      0.20 


0.30      0.05 


XiiOH 
10  cc. 


0.30  i. 


0.30  '    0.10 


0.30  I    0.20 


#2  Eiic.  0.30  '   0.30 


#3  Euc.  0.30      0.70 


300       100      #3  Euc.  0.30      0.70 


#2  Euc.  0..30 


#2  Enc.  0.20 


0.30 


0.20 
0.40 


52  Eiic.  0.30 


0.10 
0.20 


0.20 


XaOH 
5  cc. 


XaOH 
10  ee. 


1     I       ji 

ci         I      O  3 

jH |_a. 

1 
30      S:l 


30       4:1 


.30       4:1 


NaOH 
5  cc. 

SO  4:1 

45  5:1 
.35  ,    5:1 

30  S:l 

30  0:1 

30  S:l 

30  4:1 

30  4:1 


30       4:1 


30       4:1 


(d)  Tn  all  t"sts.  following,  on  OoMliank.*  oro,  somo  siilpliiil^'  float'Ml  bnfore  addition  of  oil. 

(e)  Frotlis  .f'M'nii'd  to  l)','i(niii>  shallow,  sooner,  at  lower  .^pied:   and  concentrates  cleaner  witli 
thinner  pulps. 


QncKSII.VER    RESOrRCES. 


309 


TESTS — Continued. 


fli 

Tailings 

Concentrates 

Character  anJ  beliavior  of  froth 

say  valu( 

i 

». 

i                5 

Remarks 

■r.     . 
K   til 

lif           1^-- 

IJ 

*i 

1^ 

^ 

i"--^  1  "1^ 

X 

& 

■«! 

j? 

< 

M 

Cal.  crude  oil  added   after  ore; 

0.3S 

277 

0.145 

16      5.40 

62 

At  30  min.  still  raising 

then  #750;    then    froth   up   im- 

j 

a   little  concentrate. 

mediately.     Froth    t  h  i  e  k  e  r. 

: 

deeper:      bubbles      coarser; 

slightly   more   persistent,  than 

without  Cal.  crude. 

Froth  up  immediately  on  adding 

0.3S 

453 

0.155 

24 

5.0S 

59 

At  30  min.  still  raising 

oil.       Thick,     deep,     fine     and 

a   little  concentrate. 

medium  bubbles,  only  slightly 

A    very   little   cinna- 

persistent.    Raising  also  some 

bar  visible  in  sandy 

ochre  with  sulphide. 

part  of  tailings,  un- 
released. 

Some      bubbles      and      sulphide 

0.49 

400 

0.07 

80 

2.96 

86 

Pulp  settled  quickly. 

before  oil  added.  After  oil.  bub- 

bles mostly  fine,  a  few  coarse. 

but      not      persistent.        .After 

5      min.      add'Pd      XaOH-froth 

deeper,  thicker  and  persistent. 

but  raising  some  gangue   also 

(less  XaOH  would  suffice). 

1 

Some     conc°ntrates     before     oil 

0.49 

434 

0.11 

40  ■ 1       78 

A    little   cinnabar   vis- 

added.   After  oil— froth  up  im- 

j 

ible    in   coarser   tail- 

mediately.   Thick,  deep,  coarse 

ings. 

bubbles,    persistent.      Some 

I 

gangue  raised  also. 

Some    bubbles    and   sulphide   be- 

1.72 

443 

0.56 

62    67 

At  4.'i  min.  still  raising 

fore  oil   added   (d).     .After  oil. 

a    little  concentrate. 

deep,    persistent    froth,    coarse 

bubbles. 

1 

Froth   immediately,   thick,   deep. 

1.72 

430 

0.46 

71  i   S.44 

73 

At  ISC  r  n.m.(e).  Only 

persistent.     Also  some  gangue 

a    litt'e    concentrate 

raised,    but    concentrate    looks 

after  25  min. 

cleaner.      Froth    thinner    after 

adding  more  water. 

Froth    immediately    thick,    deep. 

1.72 

270 

0.575 

26 

63.6 

At  13on  r.p.m.    Only  a 

persistent.      Fairly    clean    con- 

little   concentrate 

centrate.      Froth    thinner   just 

after  17  min. 

before   and   thicker   after   each 

addition  of  oil. 

Froth  immediately  thick,  medium 

1.72 

2S0 

0.67 

IS 

61 

At   1300  r.p.m.     At  30 

deep    and    persistent,    but    not 

min.      still      raising 

as  good  as  preceding  test. 

some  concntrat". 

Froth    immediately:    but    deeper 

1.72 

274 

0.64 

22    

63 

At    1800    r.p.m.      (See 

and   more    persistent    than    at 

photo  #73.) 

lower   speed.     At   .30   min.   still 

raising  some  concentrate. 

Froth       imniidiately;       medium 

0..r2 

477 

0.485 

20    

s 

At  1.300  r.p.m.    Sample 

bubbles:     fairly  thick;       deep. 

(Total 

made  up  of  2.50  gm. 

and     some     persistent.      Some 

72%) 

each    from    tails    of 

sulphide  but  mostly  gansue. 

#10  Ml  and  #10A12. 

Froth     and    concentrate    before 

0.4S5 

331 

0.24 

97    49.5 

At    i;»0   r.p.m.     Tails 

oil      added      (probably      from 

(Total 

from      #10A11K      re- 

previous  charge").    Deep,  thick. 

86%) 

ground    to    —200. 

persistent:    bubbles,    both   fine 

After      retreatment. 

and  coarse.    Raising  dark  part 

still    some    cinnabar 

of   gangue,    also.     At   30   min. 

on    coarser    quartz. 

still  raising  some  concentrate. 

though    —200    mesh. 

Froth    and   concentrate    immedi- 

1.72 

246 

0.55 

54    6S 

At  30  min.  still  raising 

ately    on    adding    U7o().     Deep. 

some  concentrate. 

thick,    persistent:    coarse    bub- 

bles.      Raising     some     gangue 

also. 

j 

Froth  immediately.    Deep,  thick. 

1.72 

395 

0.2.55 

103  1 S5 

At  1300  r.p.m. 

persistent;       coarse       bubbles. 

Some  gangue  up. 

310 


CALIFORNIA    STATE    MlXIXCi    FMRKAl-. 

DATA   OF    FLOTATION 


a 

=1 
0 

S 

a 

CO 

O 

Oil  used 

Other  reagent  added 

1 
'i 

Kind 

Amount 

At  start 

^  a. 

Niiiiiliei'  of  sample 

< 

Total  added 
later,  cc. 

"=■£ 

0. 

lOBl      

1 
500 

200 

#750   P; 

0.40 

1                         1 

20 

4:1 

10B2    

500 

200 

Cal.  Cr. 
#750  P. 

0.20 
0.30 

0.10 
0.20 

25 

4:1 

10B3    

500 

200 

Cal.   Cr. 
#750  P. 

0.22 

30 

4:1 

0.34 

5:1 

10B4   

500 

200 

Cal.   Cr. 
#75  P. 

0.25 
0.40 

'o.io' 

NaOH 
5cc. 

35 

4:1 

5:1 

12A2   

500 

100 

#3  rue. 

0.4(1 

0.30 

NaOH 
5  cc. 

5  cc. 

30 

5:1 

12A3   

500 

100 

Calol  B. 

0.50 

0.60 

NaOH 

30  cc. 

25 

5:1 

5cc. 

12A4    

500 

100 

#7.-.n  P. 
#2  luic. 

0  50 

n  7>o 

NaOH 

35 

4:1 

12A5     .. 

500 

100 

0.50 

0.20 

10  cc. 
NaOH 

05 

4"1 

5  CO. 

12A6   

SOO 

100 

tl  Kiic. 

0  40 

0  10 

NaOH 

25 

S:l 

5cc. 

12A7 

300 

100 

#7r.n  p. 

0.40 

0.20 

NaOH 
5  cc. 

30 

S:l 

12A8 - 

300 

100 

Cal.  Cr. 
#750  P. 

0.20 
0.40 

0.10 
0.20 

NaOH 
5ce. 

1 

30 

8:1 

(f)  'l"«ilinK.>*  from  #liiHi-l()I?4  (inc.)  showed  some  ciiinal)ar  .<till  ii  coars'r  (|iiartz.  tlioiish  —200. 
Drlcil  coiic'iitratc.*!  from  .«aiiip  t',\<it.«  ww  slit,'litly  ochreous,  though  10B2  and  10B3  gave  cleanest 
looking  concent  rates  olitalmd  from  Ooldliiinks  on". 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


811 


TESTS — Continued. 


Character  and  behavior  of  I'loth 


C0  bb 

n 


Tailings 


Concentrates 


L^ 


Remarks 


Froth     (l?sp,    thick,    persistent; 
biihhl"!!  I'oarse.     Some  gangue 
up.       W'h"A     baffle     in     spitz- 
hasten    was    lowered,    concen- 
trate  came   cleaner.     A   larger 
cell     would      give      a      cleaner 
product,     as    it    would     allow 
gangu°   time   to   settle. 
Froth     immediately    on    adding 
#750:    deep,    thick,    persistent; 
bubbles    coarse.     After   second 
aildition   of   oil,   much   gangue 
up. 
Froth    up    immediately     adding 
#750:    deep,    thick,    Dersist°nt: 
bubbles,    coarse.      Concentrate 
clean,     beautiful     red.      Froth 
thinner     after     adding     more 
water. 
Froth  up  immediately  on  adding 
#75:     deep,     thick,     persistent; 
bubbles,    coarse.      By    keeping 
baffle       lowered.       concentrate 
came  clean°r.    Concentrate  not 
quite  so  clean  looking  as  from 
10B.3.    but    showed    more    of    a 
metallic  luster.     Froth  thinner 
after  more  water. 
Froth  up  immediately  on  adrling 
oil.     Deep,  but  not  persistent: 
bubbles,  medium.     Some  fairly 
clean   concentrate.     On  adding 
more    oil.    XaOH    and    water, 
froth    subsided:     and    no    im- 
provement    till     skimmed     off 
what    appeared    to   be  film    of 
oil    on    top.      Then,    deep    and 
some     persistent     but     raising 
gangue    also. 
Practically     no     froth      with     a 
f^w    thin    bubbles    and    a    thin 
film  of  sulphide,  until  after  in- 
crease of  XaOH.    Then  a  little 
froth  and  concentrate. 
Froth     thick,     deep,     persistent; 

bubblf-s.  fine  and  medium. 
Froth    and    concentrate   immedi- 
ately   on     adding    oil.      Deep, 
thick.       persistent;       medium 
bubbles. 
Froth    and   conc"ntrate    immedi- 
ately.    D^op.  thick,  persistent; 
bubbles,  coarse.    Looked  much 
the     same      as     with      thicker 
pulp.       Some     gangue     also 
raised. 
Froth    and   concentrate    ininiedi- 
at°ly.      D^^p.     medium     thick, 
not     persistant:     bubbles,    me- 
dium.    Up  again   after  second 
oil. 
Froth    and    conc"ntrate    up    im- 
mediatfly      on      ad<Iing      #750. 
Deep,    thick,    some    persistent; 
bubbles,    coarse    and    Tii°dium. 
Better    looking    than    without 
Cal.  (rude. 


1.72  I    388 


0.485 


105 


(f) 


73 


1.72  ,     422 


1.72 


1.72 


450 


425 


0.52 


0.50 


0.275 


0.14       430      0.035 


0.14       456 


0.14 

n.14 

0.14 

0.14 
0.14 


422 
450 

274 

277 
268 


53 


53 


76 


11. OS 


9.10 


6S 


0.095 

0.03 
0.03 

0.02 

0.04 
0.025 


70 


71 


84 


75 


44 

73 
50 

26 

21 
29 


1.40 


At  1300  r.p.m.  At  20 
min.  belt  broke,  con- 
centrate still  coming. 


At  13  r.p.m.  Concen- 
trate  appears 
cleaner  than  without 
Cal.  Cr. 

At  1.300  r.p.m.  At  .30 
min.  still  raising 
concentrates. 


At  1300  r.p.m.  At  35 
min.  still  raising  a 
little  concentrate. 


This    ore 
ochre. 


contains 


Raised  some  gangue. 
Rais"d  some  gangue. 


32 

79 
79 

S6 


73         At  ?,o  Tiiin.  still  raising 
a   little   concentrate. 


82 


At  .30  min.  still  raising 
a   little   concentrate. 


312 


CALIFOKXIA    STATK    MINING   BIKKAC. 

DATA  OF   FLOTATION 


Number  of  sample 


13A2 


13A3 

13A.1 
13A5 

13A6 

13A7 

13AS 


a5A2 


15A3 
15A-J 
15A5 


]oA6 


18A3 


1SA4 


500 

500 

500 
500 

500 

500 

300 


500 


]00 

100 

100 
100 

100 

100 

100 


Oil  used 


Kind 


#3  Eue. 

#3  Eue. 

Calol  B. 
Oalol  B. 

#90  P. 

#2  Eue. 


Amount 


•o 


other  reagent  added       I 


•o  tj    I      At  start 


-y,  « ^ 

—  C  — 


0.30 

0.30 

0.30 
0.30 

0.40 

0.40 


#2  Eue.  0.30 


100      #3  Eue.  0.30 


300       100     #3  Eue 


500  ,     100 


Calol  B. 


0.05 

0.45 

0.20 
0.40 

0.20 

0.20 

0.10 


0.80 


0.30      0.70 


300       100      #75  P. 


300 


100 


Cal.   Cr. 

#75  P. 


500       100      #2  Eue. 


500 


100 


#750  P. 


0.40 


0.30 


0.20 
0.30 


0.30 


0.30 


0.60 


0.40 


NaOH 
5  cc. 


NaOH 
5  ee. 


XadH 
•2  cc. 


0.20         XaOH 
0.40  o  oc. 


5  ec. 


2  cc. 


0.60 


XiioH 
10  cc. 


0.40         XaOH 
5  ec. 


1 

1 

1 

o  o 

si 

3  ■" 

30 

4:1 

30 

5:1 

2") 

5:1 

25 

5:1 

25 

4:1 

30 

4:1 

S:l 


35 


5:1 


33       8:1 


5:1 


30 


30 


r:l 


r:l 


4:1 


4:1 


FIr.st  figure  in  sanipl"  numbers  ref-rs  to  mine,  as  follows:  #3,  JEtna;  #8,  St.  John's;  #10,  Gold- 

)i:illk-s:    el-.>    Mnrl    1:-!      Itl'llii    I'lii/in-    ^l^\      Wi.li.n-    tris      >^i.li.liiM'    KoiiL- 


qnc KS 1 1 A  KR    RKS( ) I '  RCES. 


SIS- 


TESTS — Continued. 


Chanicter  and  bi'havUn  uf  fidtli 


Froth  up  iiiimpdiately.  Deep, 
thick,  persistent ;  bubbles, 
coarse.    Some  gangue  up  also. 


Froth  up  immediately.  Bubbles, 
both  large  and  small  but  not 
as  deep,  nor  as  persistent  as 
w  i  t  h  N  a  O  H.  Concentrate 
cleaner. 

Froth  thin;  medium  bubbles; 
not  persistent. 

Froth  thin;  medium  bubbles; 
slightly  more  persistent  than 
without  NaOH.  Raised  some 
gangue. 

Thick,  coarse,  tough,  persistent 
hubbl°s.  Froth,  medium  deep. 
Sulphide  raised,  but  much 
gangue  also. 

Froth  and  concentrate  immedi- 
ately. Thick,  deep,  persistent; 
hubliles  coarse.  Some  gangue 
up   also. 

Froth  and  concentrate  immedi- 
ately. Thick.  deep  froth. 
Bubbles  smallw  and  somewhat 
less  persistent  than  thicker 
pulp. 

Froth  up  immediately,  shallow 
to  medium  deep,  some  persist- 
ent; bubbles  fine  and  coarse, 
tough.  Clean  looking  concen- 
trate. Froth  deeper  on  adding 
more  oil  at  15  minutes. 

Froth  up  immediately,  shallow 
to  medium  deep.  Fine  bubbles 
swelling  to  large. 

Practically  no  froth.  A  few 
large,  not  persistent  bubbles. 
Much  water  (?)  skimmed  over. 

Froth  and  concentrate  up  im- 
mediately on  adding  oil.  Froth, 
shallow,  thin,  only  slightly 
persistent;  bubbles,  fine  and 
coarse.  Cinnabar  came  up  on 
top  with  pyrite  just  under- 
neath. 

Froth  up  immediately  on  adding 
«7.5:  of  medium  depth,  thick- 
ness, and  persistence;  bubbles, 
coarse  to  medium.  Concen- 
trate appeared  of  cl°aner  cin- 
nabar; less  pyrite  visible,  ex- 
c"pt  towards  end  of  test. 


Some  froth  before  oil.  .-Xft-^r  oil, 
froth  thick,  sticky,  shallow, 
some  persistent;  bubbles,  fine 
and  coarse.  Raising  mainlv 
gangue.  On  adding  fresh  oil, 
bubbles  immediately  became 
coarse  and  kidney-like  but 
quickly  sul)si<ied  to  small.  No 
improvement  on  adding  NaOH. 

Some  froth  b"fore  oil.  After  oil, 
froth  medium  thick,  some  per- 
sist'iit:  coarse  bubbles.  Raised 
gangue.  but  apparently  no 
cinnabar. 


0.50 


0.50 


0.50 
0.50 


0.50 


0..50 


0.50 


1.75 


Tailings 


Concentrates 


1.75 


1.75 


1.75 


1.75 


5.03 


394 


463 


47S 
476 


463 


453 


263 


429 


0.08 


0.095 


0.15 
0.115 


0.175 


0.095 


0.085 


0.29 


241  n.27 
31S  1.32 
231      0.33 


274      0.60 


429      7.00 

I 
I 


5.96 


420  ;   6.76 


91 


33 


21 
23 


3t 


40 


32 


S4 
81 

69 

77 

65 


41 


173 


29 


3.P2 


S3 


15.84 


85 


20      20.37 


44 


43 


Rem  a  1  Us 


At  5  min.  belt  broke. 
Restarted  after  3 
min.  Some  cinnabar 
visible  in  coarser 
sand. 

Some  cinnabar  visible 
on  larger  particles 
of  sand. 


Concentrate  fairly 


clean. 


A  little  conc°ntrat°  up 
before   adding  oil. 


Some  sulphide  up  be- 
fore oil  added,  with 
Helen  ore.  Concen- 
trates carry  large 
per  cent  of  pyrite. 
In  tailings,  cinnabar 
on  coarse  gangue. 


At  1300  r.p.m.  Concen- 
trat°  appears  to  be 
fairly  cl°an  cinnabar 
and  pyrite.  In  tail- 
ings, some  pvrite; 
also  cinnabar  on 
coarser  gangue. 

At  1.300  r.p.m.  At  30 
min.  still  raising  a 
little  conce-.itrate. 
Noticeably  l"ss  pv- 
rite in  concentrate, 
than  in  preceding 
test.  Tn  tailings, 
much  pyrit"  noted; 
also  some  cinnabar 
in    coarser    gangue. 

The  'tailings'  became 
'conc'Mitrates'  b  y 
elimination  of  part 
of  gangu".  while  re- 
taining cinnabar.  A 
littl"  cinnabar  noted 
in  dri  d  froth. 


(See  preceding  test.) 


314  CALIFORNIA   iSTATK    ^[FXI.\(i    HIREAr. 

RESUME  OF  FLOTATION  RESULTS. 
With  tlic  .T^tna  table  tailiii.us  (Sample  J8),  the  poor  Hotatioii  results 
Avei'e  at  first  atti'il)uted  to  tiie  'paint'  ciniiahar  pi-eseiit.  it  was  thouuht 
that  the  oils  possibly  had  little  attiiiity  for  the  ciiinaljar  in  that  form 
because  of  its  not  beiii<i  distinctly  of  a  metallic  luster,  or  becau.se  the 
sulphide  might  have  l)ecame  coat(ni  with  an  oxidized  film  while  expo.sed 
in  the  dump.  Further  tests,  however,  place  the  blame  on  the  colloidal 
ochre  of  the  yangiie,  large  amounts  of  which  were  present.  Colloidal 
slime  seems  to  cover  up  or  enclose  the  metal  sulphides,  thus  i)reventing' 
access  of  oil  to  them ;  or  the  colloids  may  react  against  the  oil  directly. 
The  addition  of  caustic  soda  improves  the  situation,  and  permits  a  bet- 
ter recovery.  This  has  also  proven  the  case  with  ores  other  than  those 
of  mercury.     C.  S.  Parsons^  says: 

"tliat  the  caustic  soda,  instead  of  flocculating  the  .slime,  deflocculates  it.  Tlie  mineral 

particles  that  were  locked  up  in  tlie  floccule  of  slime  are  set   free,  wliich  allows  them 

to  be  more  easily  oiled.  Before  tlie  caustic  soda  was  added  tlie  oil  had  to  penetrate 
the  floccule  of  slime  in  order  to  reacli  the  mineral  particle." 

In  reply  to  Parsons,  J.  F.  ^Mitchell — Roberts-  referring  to  conditions 
at  Till  i\Ii  Ching,  Korea,  with  a  gold-copper  ore,  states: 

"So  far  as  present  inxestigations  have  gone  tliere  appear  to  be  few  mineral  particles 
in  the  colloidal  slime  in  the  ore,  but  without  the  addition  of  caustic  soda  tlie  colloidal 
slime  appears  to  liave  a  greater  affinity  for  coating  tlie  mineral  particles  than  does 
tlie  eucalyptus   oil.      *      «      * 

"Tlie  addition  of  caustic  soda  to  the  circuit  has  entirely  altered  the  fettling  proper- 
ties of  tlie  pulp,  the  calcific  slime-aggregates  or  flocks  remaining  in  suspension  long 
after  the  other  solids  have  settled  out.  To  such  an  extent  has  this  been  the  case 
tliat  whereas  in  foinier  tests  an  allowance  of  6  sq.  ft.  per  ton  per  2-1  hours  to  obtain 
a  clear  overflow  from  a  Dorr  thickener  was  sufflcient.  36  sq.  ft.  is  necessary  after  the 
addition  of  two  poimds  of  72'/r  caustic  soda  per  ton  of  ore,  in  a  pulp  having  a  dilution 
of  .3  parts  water  to  1  part  of  ore."  : 

The  writer,  also,  noted  the  slow  settling  properties  of  those  pulps 
Avhere  caustic  soda  had  been  employed. 

The  best  results  obtained  with  this  ^Etiia  material  in  tlie.se  experi- 
ments yielded  only  62%  indicated  extraction,  with  a  concentration  of 
10  to  1,  and  a  concentrate  assaying  3A0^i  mercury.  The  oil  used  was 
i\  comliination  of  a  California  heavy  crude  petroleum  and  a  heavy  pine- 
tar  oil,  with  caustic  soda. 

With  the  St.  -lolnrs  ore  a  fair  percentage  of  extraction  {S6%)  was 
obtained  with  a  eucalyptus  oil,  and  IS' ,  with  a  crude  wood  turpentine; 
but  the  concentrate  in  the  former  case  was  low  gi-ide,  carrying  only 
2.^.)6%  inci'cury.  with  a  concentration  of  H  to  1.  In  both  cases  consid- 
erable gangue  was  floated  with  the  sulphide.  Xo  doubt  more  satisfac- 
tory results  could  have  been  obtained  with  this  ore  had  time  pei'mitted 
further  experimentation.  Tiie  gaimue  lias  no  noticeable  ochre,  being 
<luart/ose,  with  some  calcite.  With  a  |)iiie  oil,  and  with  'Zerolene', 
C.  (t.  Dennis"  obtained  a  good  concentration  on  ttiis  ore: 

"With  an  old  ice  ci-eani  fi'eezrr  for  apparatus  lie  prixhircd  a  hi-a\%'  frotli  and  a 
clean   separation    thai    prdiniscs   well    for   (■onuuiTcial    results   with   standard    apparatus." 

't'nder   'I  )iscussion' :   Min.   iVi  Sci.    Tre^s,    NOl     114,  p.   L'l'L'.    bVli.    IT,    l:M7. 

-'Min.   a  .Scl,    Press,    \'ol.    114.   p.   .SfiL'.   Mar.    17.    I'll  7. 

"Kditorial:   Min.   I'v:   .^d.    I'r.'ss,   Vol.    lit!i.  p.   .'iS.'i,   October   17.    I'."  I  4. 


QnCKSII-VER    RESOURCES.  315 

On  the  Goldbanks  ore,  the  best  result  was  obtained  iisin«  a  combi- 
nation of  California  heavy  ci-nde  petrolenm  and  crnde  wood  turpentine 
with  caustic  soda,  — 200-nie.sh  pulp  and  slower  speed.  An  indicated 
extraction  of  84%  was  obtained,  with  a  concentration  of  7  to  1,  and  a 
concentrate  assaying  9.10%  mercury.  Fair  results  (70%-80%)  were 
yielded  with  both  jiine  tar  and  eucalyptus  oils;  also  one  of  85%  extrac- 
tion Mith  a  eucalyptus  oil,  but  considerable  gangue  was  also  floated,  so 
that  the  concentrate  was  low  grade.  Because  of  the  physical  condition 
of  this  ore,  it  would  be  necessary  to  slime  it,  in  order  to  completely 
release  all  of  the  cinnabar.  Examination  of  the  flotation  tailings  with 
a  hand  lens  revealed  the  presence  of  cinnabar  still  on  pieces  of  the 
gangue.  though  crushed  to  —  200  mesh. 

The  Bella  Union  dump  material  was  ochreous,  but  to  a  lesser  degree 
than  that  of  the  ^Etna  mine.  The  best  result,  86%,  was  obtained  with 
a  eucalyptus  oil  and  caustic  soda,  in  a  thin  pulp  (8:1),  yielding  a  con- 
centration of  11  to  1  and  a  concentrate  assajnng  1.40%  mercury.  On 
the  fresh  ore  from  the  Bella  Union  underground  workings,  higher 
average  results  were  obtained  than  with  the  dump  material,  partly  due 
to  its  being  of  higher  grade  and  partly  because  it  contained  no  ochre. 
Eucalyptus  oils  gave  fair  results  with  both  thin  and  thick  pulps. 
Tests  on  ore  from  the  Bella  Union  mine  were  made  by  Hamilton, 
Beuchamp  &  Woodworth  of  San  Francisco.  Mr.  Woodworth  informed 
the  writer  that  over  90%  extraction  was  obtained  by  crushing  to 
—  40 -(-80;  floating  with  a  combination  of  crude  petroleum  and  a 
heavy  pine-oil  product,  to  recover  the  slimed  cinnabar ;  then  concen- 
trating out  the  coarse  cinnabar  on  a  table.  Flotation  was  placed 
before  tabling  rather  than  after,  as  it  avoided  the  necessity  for 
de-watering.  In  their  experiments,  water  from  the  mine  was  utilized 
as  it  would  have  to  be  employed  in  a  commercial  plant  there.  This 
mine  water  has  an  acid  reaction,  and  they  tried  neutralizing  it  with 
lime,  with  unfavorable  results.  They  were  able,  finally,  to  get  a  satis- 
factory recovery  without  neutralizing  the  slight  acidity  of  the  water. 
Thick  pulp  yielded  better  results  than  thin  ;  though  Woodworth  stated 
that  sometimes  cinnabar  gave  remarkable  results  in  thin  puli>s.  He 
also  stated  that  they  had  found  that  a  combination  of  crude  wood  tur- 
pentine with  a  crude  asphalt-base  petroleum  would  select  cinnabar  in 
preference  to  pyrite  from  a  mixture  of  the  two.  This  was  verified  by 
the  writer  with  the  Helen  mine  ore,      (q.v.) 


316  CALIFORNIA   STATK    MIXING    BKHKAr. 

Some  flotation  tests  were  made  by  K.  L.  Beals^  on  a  sample  of  ore 
from  the  Bella  Union  mine  earryin*;  abont  0.7%  mere\n-y.  The  results 
of  three  of  his  tests  willi  a  Hoover  type  laboratory  machine  were  as 
follows,  the  assays  of  his  products  having  been  made  by  the  writer: 

"A — 500  gnims  ore,   r)000  c.c.  water 

Coneentrate    Jl,    11.2    grams IT.-i      'y    Hg 

Coneentrate    $2.    11.9    grams ].72    %    Hg 

Tails    +100    mesh    60    grams 0.07.5%    Hg 

Tails  — 100    mesh    230   grams O.O.".    %    Hg 

Tails    unscreened    150    grams 0.075%    Hg 

"B — 500  grams  ore,  3000  c.c.  water 

Oil — 10   drops  of  following  mi.xtiire  : 
20  c.c.   Whittier  Fuller  Pine  Oil 

5    c.c.    Calol    A 
15    c.c.    Calol    C 

Concentrate   18.2   grams 10.28   %   Hg 

Tails    50    grams 0.115%   Hg 

"C — 500  grams  ore,  3000  c.c.  water 

15   drops  oil   mixture  used   in   B 
15  drops  pine  oil 
Concentrates   6.1    grams 32. 8S   %   Hg 

Tailing  not  assayed. 

"Tlie  idea  of  the  tests  was  to  see  liow  dean  a  tailing  and  how  higli  a  concentrate 
covdd  l)e  produced  the  same  to  be  obtained  in  a  plant  by  the  proper  arrangement  of 
machines." 

He  noted  that  in  flotation  of  low-grade  material  the  best  work  was 
not  done  until  a  fair  grade  of  concentrate  had  been  built  up,  so  as  to 
''have  some  body  of  sulphide  to  float."  In  a  commercial  plant  this 
would  be  accomplished  by  the  continuous  process  with  several  cells  in 
series. 

A  complete  chemical  analysis  should  be  made  of  a  material  contain- 
ing so  many  active  chemical  constituents  as  does  the  Sulphur  Bank  ore, 
before  one  att(^mpts  to  work  out  an  ore-dressing  or  metallurgical 
scheme  for  it.  The  cinnabar  occurs  to  a  considerable  extent  mixed 
with  native  sulphur  in  the  leached  basalt  in  the  lower  zone  of  oxida- 
tion, though  the  principal  deposits  are  below  this  level.  It  is  associated 
also  with  much  silica,  in  part  amorphous.  As  to  the  solfataric  springs 
at  the  Sulphur  Bank,  Becker^  says: 

"Tlic  gases  escaping  from  the  waters  are  carbon  dioxide,  hydrogen  sulphide, 
sulphur  dioxide,  and  marsh  gas.  The  waters  contain  chlefl.v  carbonates,  borates,  and 
chloride  of  sodium,  potasium  and  ;immonium  ;  Imt  alkaline  sulphides  are  also  present." 

As  already  noted  herein,  the  moistened  material  of  this  sam])le  tested, 
showed  ;iM  acid  reaction  with  litmus  papei'.  Only  two  tlotatiou  tests 
were  made  on  this  ore,  both  with  negative  results.  l*racticall\-  only 
gangue  material  was  floated,  resulting  in  the  i-esidue  yielding  a  higlier 
mercury  content  than  the  heads  assay  showed. 

AVith  tlie  Helen  mine  ore,  the  writer  obtained  fair  results  with  both 
eucalyptus  and  pine  oils,  'i'he  highest  extraction.  S^o;  ^yas  with  a 
eucalyptus  oil,  giving  an  8  to  1  concentration,  l)ut  the  c:)Mcentrate  car- 
ried considerable  pyrite.     A  cleaner  concentrate,  assaying  15.84%  mer- 


'Personnl  communication  to  the  writt  r. 

'•Becker,   O.    F.,   fJcologx-   of   th<'  (ini(k.sil\-ci-  dopnsits  of  the    racilic   .>-;i<ii)(':   U.   S.   G.   S. 
Mon.  XIII,  p.   463,    ISSS. 


QT'ICKSTT.VRR    RES(^T'RrES.  317 

cury.  was  obtained  with  ifT")  Pensacola  oil  (crude  wood  turpentine)  in 
a  10  to  1  coucentration  at  19' [  extraetion.  The  cleanest  concentrate. 
20.37%  niereiu'w  was  obtained  with  a  combination  of  #75  Pensacola 
and  California  crude  petroleum,  yielding  a  15  to  1  concentration  l)ut 
onW  66%  extraction.  Thi.s  concentrate  contained  visibly  less  pyrite 
than  those  from  all  other  tests  made  by  the  writer  on  the  Helen  ore. 
This  combination  of  crude  Avood  turpentine  and  an  asphaltic  base 
crude  petroleum,  therefore,  has  a  preferential  selective  action  for  cin- 
nabar in  the  presence  of  pyrite. 

The  tabulation  herewith  gives  some  results  selected  from  a  somewhat 
larger  number  of  tests  made  by  T.  D.  Kirwan''  on  this  same  sample  of 
Helen  mine  ore,  with  the  Hyde  machine.  The  oils  there  noted  as  hav- 
ing been  employed  by  him.  in  addition  to  those  used  by  the  writer, 
were :  226  Pensacola,  a  pine  oil ;  Union  Oil  Co.,  San  Francisco.  Cal., 
'corrosive  flotation  oil';  Standard  Oil  Co.,  Richmond,  Cal.,  Calol  flota- 
tion oils  'A',  and  'C,  both  compounded  oils,  mainly  mineral,  with  some 
pine  products ;  General  Naval  Stores  Co.,  New  York,  N.  Y.,  jf8  flota- 
tion oil.     In  his  conclusion,  he  states : 

"*  *  *  it  would  be  advisable  to  crush  the  ore  in  all  cases  to  at  least  SO  mesh. 
In  some  cases  it  would  be  well  to  crush  to  100  mesh,  this  depending  more  or  less  on 
the  oil  used.  Crushing  above  100  mesh  does  not  seem  to  increase  appreciably  the 
percentage   of   extraction.      *      *      * 

"Distinctly  acid  solutions  injure  the   results. 

"It  is  interesting  to  find  that  over  709'r  of  the  cinnabar  constituent  of  the  ore  can  be 
floated  without  the  aid  of  a  frothing  agent.  Air  was  allowed  to  be  sucked  into  the 
bottom  of  tlie  pulp  as  in  the  other  tests. 

"*      *      *      tailings   were   not   re-treated.      *      *      * 

"As  previously  stated,  the  ore  contains  considerable  pyrite,  consequently  the  con- 
centrates are  largely  made  up  of  this  mineral." 

The  higher  average  percentages  of  extraction  in  Kirwan's  tests  as 
compared  to  the  author's  with  the  same  ore  and  oils  may  be  creditable 
to  the  sub-aeration  utilized  in  the  Hyde  machine.  A  similar  attach- 
ment could  be  added  to  the  Case  unit.  Sub-aeration  is  employed  in 
the  ^linerals  Separation  Co.  machines. 

«Kirwan.  T.  D.,  Concentration  of  Cinnabar  by  Flotation:  Unpublished.  A  thesis 
presented  "in  partial  satisfaction  of  the  requirements  for  the  degree  of  B.  S.  in  Mining 
Engineeiing."  University  of  California,  May,   1916. 


318 


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(jnCKSll.VKR    RESOrKCES.  319 

In  ;u-tual.  large-scale  flotation  pi-aetiee  on  ores  other  than  those  of 
qnicksilvcr.  connnereial  resnlt.s  in  general  liave  shown  an  im])rovement 
of  3'7f-5%  in  the  total  extraction  as  compared  to  the  laboratory  test 
results.  Also,  oil  consumption  is  less,  especially  if  the  water  used  be 
clarified  and  returned  to  the  circuit.  It  seems  to  be  not  po.ssible  in 
most  cases  to  get  both  a  clean  tailing  and  a  clean  concentrate  at  a 
single  operation  with  a  laboratory  machine.  One  may  be  obtained  at 
the  expen.se  of  the  other.  One  or  both  must  be  retreated  to  obtain  the 
final,  desirable  product.  In  commercial  plants,  several  cells  or  units 
are  operated  in  series,  so  that  by  the  time  the  pulp  emerges  from  the 
lower  end  it  is  supposedly  'clean';  and,  in  addition  to  this,  a  portion  at 
least  of  the  concentrates  may  be  reeleaned.  AVater  utilized  at  the  mine 
should  be  employed  in  the  tests.  In  their  admirable  paper  on  labora- 
tory flotation  manipulation,  Ralston  and  Allen'  have  called  attention 
to  some  of  these  eccentricities,  if  they  may  be  .so  termed : 

"None  of  tlie  literature  mentions  the  fact  that  it  is  difficult  to  get  a  high  percentage 
of  extraction  and  a  high  grade  of  notation  concentrate  at  the  same  time.  *  *  * 
It  is  difficult  to  manipulate  a  small  machine  to  give  as  good  results  as  a  large  one, 
until  after  considerable  practice.  So  the  small  machine  is  generally  pessimistic, 
compared  with  the  large  one.      *      *      * 

******* 

"Beginners  are  likely  to  dilute  their  frotli  witli  too  much  gangue.  In  a  large-sized 
machine  the  froth  can  travel  over  from  four  to  eight  feet  of  spitzkasten  before  it  is 
discharged,  while  in  this  test-machine  [Janney]  it  only  has  a  travel  of  about  10  inches. 
Consequently,    the   small    machine    is    liable    to    yield    concentrate    of   too    low   a   tenor. 

The  same  applies  to  most  other  machines  for  making  tests  on  flotation. 

******* 

"If  it  is  so  desired,  this  rough  concentrate  can  be  put  back  into  tlie  machine  and 
treated  in  the  same  way  as  tlie  original  sample,  or  the  concentrates  from  several 
tests  combined  to  give  enough  material  for  retreatment.  If  this  is  done  three  products 
are  made,  namely  : 

"A   'rougher'   tailing,   to  waste. 

"A  clean  concentrate,  for  shipment  [or  for  immediate  retorting  in  the  case  of 
cinnabar]. 

"A  'cleaner'  tailing  or  middling,  which  in  actual  practice  is  returned  to  the  head 
machine. 

"When  these  conditions  are  observed  results  only  slightly  lower  than  those  pos- 
sible with  a  big  macliine  can  be  obtained.  A  test  can  be  run  in  from  5  to  30  minutes 
in  such  a  machine  with  ."lOO  grams  of  ore  in  anything  from  a  3  ;1  to  a  5  :1  pulp.  *  *  * 
Clean  tailings  genei-ally  mean  only  medium-grade  concentrates  due  to  entrainment  of 
gangue  in  the  removal  of  all  the  mineral. 

******* 

"As  a  rule  laboratory  machinery  for  the  pulverization  of  ore  is  of  the  dry-grmding 
type,  with  the  exception  of  small  ball-mills  that  can  crush  from  1  to  100  lb.  charges  in 
the  wet.  Consequently,  most  people  start  with  weighed  charges  of  finely-ground  dry 
ore.  a  known  quantity  of  water,  of  oil,  and  of  acid  or  alkali.  *  *  *  In  nearly  all 
laboratory  work  finer  grinding  than  is  used  in  practice  seems  to  be  necessary.  This 
may  possibly  be  due  to  the  smaller  amounts  of  froth  that  are  formed.  Such  small 
f(uantities  of  froth  can  not  form  layers  as  deep  as  those  made  in  the  large  machines. 
If  a  big  particle  of  sulphide  can  be  entrained  with  a  number  of  smaller  particles,  it 
can  be  floated,  but  with  a  thin  froth  the  chance  of  sucli  entrainment  would  seem  to 
be  less.  Some  experimenters  have  informed  us  that  they  were  able  to  float  even  as 
large  as  30-mesh  material,  but  our  own  experience  is  that  60-mesh  material  is  often 
hard  to  float  witli  any  chance  of  getting  a  high  e.xtraction,  while  the  operation  is 
performed  with  much  more  ease  and  expedition  wlien  the  ore  is  crushed  somewhat 
finer. 

"Wet  grinding  is  more  desirable,  as  it  parallels  conditions  in  practice,  where  most 
of  the  finer  grinding  of  ore  is  in  Chilean,  tube,  and  other  mills.  However,  wet 
grinding  is  harder  to  manipulate  in  a  small  laboratory  and  requires  more 
time.      *      *      * 

"The  measuring  and  testing  of  flotation-oils  in  the  laboratory  has  been  very 
inexact  in  many  instances  witnessed  by  us.  It  is  common  practice  to  count  the 
number  of  drops  of  oil  falling  from  a  small  piece  of  glass  tubing.  We  are  using- 
a  Mohr  pipette  of  1  c.c.  total  capacity  for  measurement  of  the  amount  of  oil  used  in 
each  test.      *      *      *     This  pipette  allows  measurement  of  the  oil  to  the  nearest  0.01  c.c. 


^Ralston,   O.    C.  and   Allen,   G.    L.,   Testing  ores   for   flotation    process:  Min.    &   Sci. 
Press,  Vol.   112,  pp.   8  et  seq.,  1916. 


S20  CALIFORXFA    STATF^    :\[rXIXr.    BI'REAT'. 

which  is  as  cluse  as  will  ever  he  desired.  If  the  density  of  the  oil  is  known,  the 
volume  as  measured  by  this  metliod  is  quickly  converted  into  the  weight  of  oil 
■used     *      *      *. 

"Many  reports  of  notation  test-work  witli  mechanical-agitation  machines  give  the 
speed  of  the  rotation  of  the  agitating-l)lades.  We  have  found  that  it  was  possible  to 
get  mucli  the  same  work  done  with  (luite  a  variation  of  speeds,  ilie  only  effect  being 
to  lengthen  or  slioi-ten  the  time  of  treatment.  We  feel  that  tlie  importance  of  this 
matter  has  l)een  much  e.xaggerated.  Some  means  of  speed-conti'ol  is  necessary  and 
the  speed  can  be  ad.iusted  in  each  case  vmtil  the  froth  presents  the  proper  appear- 
ance as  to  depth,  size  of  bubljles,  color,  etc.  Speeding  towards  tlie  end  of  a  test  in 
order  to  give  a  deeper  frotli  with  a  faint  line  of  concentrate  on  the  very  top  is  often 
advisable.  We  recommend  adjusting  tlie  speed  in  each  test  to  suit  the  other  condi- 
tions,  rather  than   i-imiiing  a  series  of  tests  with  different  speeds.      *      *      * 

"When  a  good  set  of  conditions  has  been  found  for  the  flotation  treatment  of  an 
ore.  it  is  best  to  recovei-  the  water  from  eacli  test  to  see  what  effect  a  closed  circuit 
of  the  mill-water  will  have.  Some  oil  and  chemicals  are  thus  recovered,  cutting  down 
the  amounts  necessary  for  operation.  In  fact,  a  car-boy  or  two  of  the  water  to  be 
used  in  the  large  mill  should  be  used  to  make  certain  that  no  deleterious  contamina- 
tion will  ensue  from  this  source.  Under  these  conditions  filtration  for  recovery  of 
the  water  is  necessary.      *      *      * 

"Finally,  it  is  well  to  be  prodigal  in  the  amount  of  analytical  work  connected  with 
flotation  testing  in  order  to  discover  interesting  differences  in  gangue-constituents 
carried  into  the  concentrate,  as  well  as  to  find  the  best  conditions  for  leaving  out 
some  gangue  constituent  that  is  less  desirable  than  the  rest.  If  an  experimenti-i'  does 
his  own  analytical  work  he  can  be  expected  to  spend  three-fourths  of  his  time  analyz- 
ing wliat   has   been   done  during  the  other   fourtli.'" 


* 


(^ncKSIIAKK    RESOURCES.  321 


EXTRACTION  OF  MERCURY  BY  SOLUTION  WITH  Na.,S   +   NaOH. 

The  solubility  of  mercuric  sulphide  in  alkaline  sulphide  solutions  has 
been  known  to  experimental  and  industrial  chemists  for  more  than  100 
years.  The  preparation  of  vermilion  in  the  wet  way,  as  described  by 
Kirchoft'^  in  1799  is  based  on  these  reactions.  Becker-  reviews  some- 
what in  detail  the  literature  relative  to  such  solubility,  and  also 
describes  a  series  of  experiments  made  in  his  own  laboratory  along  the 
same  lines.  These  were  carried  out  with  a  view  mainly  of  shedding 
light  on  the  source  and  nature  of  the  solutions  which  brought  about 
the  deposition  of  the  cinnabar  ore-bodies  found  in  nature.  Obviously, 
such  data  would  also  be  of  value  in  an  investigation  of  the  reverse  of 
the  deposition, — that  is.  the  re-solution  of  the  precipitated  cinnabar  for 
its  commercial  recovery.  He  states  that  the  solubility  of  HgS  in 
Na.,S  -|-  XaOH  solution  depends  on  the  quantity  of  NaoS  present,  not 
that  of  XaOH,  so  long  as  there  is  even  a  small  amount  of  the  free 
caustic  hydrate  present.^ 

"A  very  small  quantity  only  of  the  hydrate  is  sufficient  to  sec-ure  to  tlie  alkaline 
sulphide  its  maximum  solvent  power  over  mercairic  sulpliide.  *  *  *  'fhe  greater 
part  of  the  experiments  made  to  test  the  maximum  solubility  of  HgS  in  Na^S  in  the 
presence  of  NaHO  shows  that  the  relation  of  the  weights  of  the  two  substances  is  very 
nearly  in  the  proportion  of  one  molecule  of  HgS  to  two  molecules   of  Na-S." 

In  the  practical  application,  of  course,  a  slight  excess  is  necessary 
over  this  theoretical  proportion. 

Among  the  more  recent  of  detailed  research  experiments  related  to 
mercury  sulphide,  solution  and  crystallization,  is  the  work  of  Allen 
and  Crenshaw*  of  the  Geophysical  Laboratory,  Washington,  D.  C. 
They  state  :^ 

"Any  form  of  mercuric  sulphide  dissolves  readily  in  concentrated  solutions  of 
sodium  (20"^  NaoS  and  K^S  were  actually  used)  or  potassium  sulphitie.  *  *  * 
The  alkali  sulphides  form  with  mercuric  sulphide  two  compounds.  HgS.2M..S  and 
HgS.  M.S." 

According  to  Schnabel  and  Louis,'*  these  double  sulphides  contain 

"variable  ciuantities  of  water  according  to  the  temperature  and  tlie  concentration  of 
the  solution.  A  portion  of  these  double  sulphides  is  soluljle  in  water  in  the  presence 
of  caustic  alkalies,  but  at  a  certain  degree  of  dilution  is  decomposed  again  into  its 
constituents." 

Some  other  proposed  wet  methods  for  the  extraction  of  mercury  are 
described  by  Schnabel  and  Louis,'  including  the  method  of  Sieveking'^ 
which    involves    treatment    of    cinnabar    with    a    solution    of    cuprous 


'Kirchhoff.  G.   S.  C  in  Allg.  Jour,  der  Chemie,   Scherer.  A'ol.   2.  p.   290. 

^Becker,  G.  F..  Geologv  of  the  ciuicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope  ;  U.  S.  G.  S. 
Mon,  XIIT,  pp.   419-437,   iSSS. 

■'■Idem.  p.   4  22. 

*Allen,  E.  T.  &  Crenshaw.  J.  L..  the  sulphides  of  zinc,  cadmium  and  mercury  ;  their 
crystalline  forms  and  genetic  conditions:  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  Vol.  XXXIV,  pp.  o4 1-396, 
Oct.   1912. 

•■Idem.  p.   3  68. 

'■■.Schnabel   and  Louis.   Handbook  of  Metallurgv.   Vnl.   IT.    2d  ed.      190T.   p.   332. 

•Idem,  p.  439. 

«Oesterr,  Zeitschr.      1876.   Xo.   2;   Berg-  und   Hiittenm.      Ztg..   1876.  p.    161. 

21— 3<.i40 


322 


CALIFOKXI.X    STATK    .MI.NlNc;    HIHK.VC 


cliloride  in  the  pre.sence  of  a  granulated  alloy  of  copper  and  zinc ;  also 
the  method  of  AVagiier.''  wliich  involves  the  use  of  bromine  water  and 
hydrochloric  acid. 

Tlie  following  tal)ulation  by  Abeyg'"  gives  the  i-clative  solubilities 
of  the  black  ('schwarz').  amorphous  mercuric  sulphide  and  of  cinna- 
bar in  various  strengths  of  Na^S  solution,  at  25°  : 


Mol.*  XfuS  

Mol.  HgS  (.^ohwaiz). 
Mol.  HgS  (zinnobor)--. 
HgS  (schwarz)  ) 

Zinnobcr  \ 

NasS  :  zinnobcr    


1.5 
OJS' 


1.0 

0.46 

0.42 

1.09 


2:1  1   2.04:1 


0.75 
0.31 
0.27 

1.12 


2.8:1 


0.5 

0.175 
0.15 

0.375 
0.111 
0.092 

1.19 

1.21 

3.3:1 

4.1:1 

0.15 

11.023 

0.018 

]  :m\ 


8.3:1 


0.1 

0.011 

0.0086 

1.29 


11.6:1 


*'Mol.'   means  gram-molecule. 

EXPERIMENTAL   DATA. 

In  the  Avriter's  experiments,  a  10%  solution  was  made  up.  with 
'Baker's  Analyzed'  Na.S.  9ri.,0  crystals  (moleculer  weight  240.3). 
The  NaOH  solution  used  was  also  10%  being  the  laboratory  reagent,  of 
100  gm..  c.p.  XaOH  per  liter.  The  ore  samples  Avere  ground  to  — 200 
mesh,  and  a  10-gram  charge  taken  in  each  case.  In  Test  A,  each  was 
agitated  with  20  cc.  Na^.S  and  0.5  cc.  NaOH,  for  20  minutes  in  a  test- 
tube,  then  filtered  and  washed  with  three  changes  of  distilled  water. 
Total  time  of  contact  of  solution  on  the  ore  was  approximately  one-half 
hour.  In  Test  B,  each  was  agitated  with  20  cc.  Na^S  and  0.5  cc.  NaOH 
for  5  minutes,  then  filtered,  washed  once  with  5  cc.  Na^S  and  finally 
with  three  changes  of  distilled  Avater.  Total  time  of  solution  contact 
15  minutes.  In  Test  C,  each  was  agitated  with  20  cc.  of  5^  Na.^S  (10 
cc.  diluted  to  20  cc.)  and  0.3  cc.  NaOH  for  5  minutes,  then  filtered  and 
washed  successively  with  Na^S  and  water.  Total  time  of  solution  con- 
tact 15  minutes.     The  following  tabulation  summarizes  the  results: 


Test  A 

Test  B 

Test  C 

Heiuls.  per  cent  Hg. 

Sample* 

Residue 

per  cent 

Hg. 

Per 
cent 
extrac- 
tion 

Sample 

Residue 

per  cent 

Hg. 

Per 

cent 

extrac- 

tiun 

.Sample 

Ueftidue 
per  cent 
Hg.      , 

1 

Per 

cent 

e.\trac- 

tioii 

1..39    

7A2 

8A8 
9A2 
10B5 
12A9 
13A9 
15A7 

0.31 
0.05 
0.02 
(1.05 
0.02 
0.(12 
0.97 

78 
90 
91 
97 
85 
96 
45 

(1.19    

8A9 

9A3 

10B7 

12A1() 

13A10 

0.095 

0.015 

0.36 

0.02 

0.05 

81 
95 

79 

85 
90 

0.31    

1.72    

9A4 

10B8 

12A11 

1.3A11 

0.12 
1.16 
(I.OS 
0.21 

69 
33 

(1.14    

4S 

0.50    

58 

I 


•7.4,  Ksperanza  min?;  HA,  St.  John's;  9A,  Cambria;  lOB,  Goldbanks;  12A,  Bella  Union  dump; 
13A,  H"lla  Union  Jiiinc;   1,-)A,  H"lfn. 

"Wagner,   R.  :    Dingier,  Vol.  CCXXVIII,  p.  254;  Chem.  Ceiitiallilatt,   ISTN.   p.   711. 
'".Abess,    R.  :    IlandlMich   drr  AiKirsanisclicn   Chcniie,   Vol.    11.    I't.    L',   p.    (j:;2,    IHOS. 


QUICKSIIA'ER   RESOURCES.  323 

In  nearly  all  cases,  more  or  less  of  a  greenisli-blaek  eolloidal  precip- 
itate of  iron  sulphide  was  formed.  Tt  was  es])eciall\'  noticeable  with 
12A  (due  to  the  ochre)  and  in  7A  and  15A  (doubtless  due  to  tlie  pres- 
ence of  soluble  iron  compounds,  though  there  was  no  ochre  in  either. 
Both  contained  considerable  serpentine). 

A  piece  of  aluminum  plate  placed  in  the  filtrate  from  10B5  showed 
small  globules  of  metallic  mercury  reduced  upon  it  in  a  few  minutes 
time.  Some  bright  zinc  shavings  placed  in  tlie  filtrate  from  1()B7 
showed  no  reaction  up  to  48  hours. 

In  addition  to  the  above.  10  grams  of  JflOB  was  agitated  with  20  cc. 
of  a  saturated  solution  of  Na^S  and  1  cc.  NaOH.  for  10  minutes;  then 
filtered  and  washed  with  one  change  of  water.  Total  time  of  solution 
contact  approximately  one-half  hour.  A  large  amount  of  the  colloidal, 
black  sulphide  was  precipitated,  and  made  filtering  very  slow.  The 
residue  asayed  0.18%  mercury,  or  an  extraction  of  90%.  Evidently 
the  residue  was  not  completely  washed,  as  it  showed  more  mercury 
than  the  test  witli  10%  NajS.  A  test  was  also  made  on  a  sample  of 
Sulphur  Bank  ore  (#18A2),  —150  mesh,  with  20  cc.  lO'/r  Na.,S  and 
0.5  cc.  NaOH.  agitated  10  minutes ;  then  filtered  and  washed  with  two 
changes  of  solution  and  three  of  water.  The  residue  showed  no  extrac- 
tion, though  the  sample  carried  6%  mercury;  but  there  was  an  abund- 
ant, black,  iron  sulphide  precipitate,  which  apparently  took  up  all  of 
the  available  Xa^S  in  the  solution.  Possibly  this  might  have  been 
obviated  by  a  preliminary  water-wash  of  the  ore.  As  noted  under  the 
•  flotation  experiments,  a  complete  chemical  analysis  should  be  made  of 
such  a  material,  to  intelligently  work  with  it. 

With  longer  solution   contact   than   given   in   the   above  tests,   even 

1  fairly  coarse,  crystalline  cinnabar  will  be  dissolved.  Some  — 80-mesh 
concentrate  (from  Helen  mine  ore)  left  standing  without  agitation  in 
a  test  tube  was  completely  dissolved  after  three  days.  The  ])yrite 
present  was  apparently  not  aifected. 
PRACTICAL  APPLICATION  OF  THE  XaoS  SOLUTION  METHOD. 
Though  it  has  been  suggested  at  various  times,  to  date  there  has  been 
no  application  of  this  method  on  a  working  scale  to  natural  mercurial 
ores.  In  1911.  ]\[ulholland''  proposed  to  fine  grind  the  ore  in  a  ball 
mill  with  the  solvent — alkaline  sulphide  containing  free  alkaline 
hydrate;  and  to  recover  the  dissolved  mercury  ]iy  adding  zinc  hydrate 
in  exce.ss  to  the  filtered  solution, 

"when  zinc  sulphide  and  mercuric  sulphide  are  precipitated."  *  *  *  The  barren 
solution  mav  he  regenerated  bv  H.S.  "The  mixed  precipitates  are  *  *  *  treated 
with  dil.  H.SO,  and  steam."  H.S  being  evolved.  "On  treatment  with  IL.SO,.  zmc 
sidphide  goes  into  solution  as  zinc  sulphate,  and  there  remains  behind  a  mixture  of 
mercuric  sulphide  and  metallic  mercury.  This  precipitate  is  mixed  with,  lime  and 
iron  turnings  and  distilled  m  a  retort  in  the  usual  way.  *  *  *  It  is,  of  course, 
possible    to   treat   the   sulphide   lifiuors   containing   the   mercury   by   electrolysis,    when 

iMulholland.    C.    A.,    Treatment   of   low-grade   cinnabar  ores;    Australian   Mg.    Sfd. 
June  S,  1911,  pp.   565  et  seq. 


324  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MIXIXG  BL'REAU. 

nieriuiN'  will  be  (lepi>siir<l  on  the  r-athodr  :  ami  the  sDlulioii  will  he  converted  pai'tly  or 
wholly  into  alkaline  sulphate,  sulphite,  and  thiosulphate  ;"  hut  "eost  of  current  and 
chemieals  would  he  hif;h." 

"It  is  not  altogether  possible  from  small  scale  experiments  to  predict  the  cost  of 
chemicals.  *  *  •  of  a  necessity,  tentative  *  *  *  give  *  •  *  a  rough  idea 
of  the  cliaracter  of  the  costs." 

lie  estiniates  op('ratin<:-  costs  (here  converted  to  V.  S.  currency),  to 
be  as  follows,  assuming-  an  ore  of  0.3%  merciirx'.  a  friable  sinter,  80% 
efficiency  extraction  (net  value  $3.06  per  louu*  ton,  on  basis  of  !j<43.7;3 
pei'  tiask  for  (juicksilver),  100  loni;'  tons  ])ov  day  handled,  niininii'  and 
crusliinji'  costs  low  : 

Per  ton 

"Mining  and  ore  delivered   to  works '. |0   60 

Ci-ushing.  lixiviation  and  distillation 0   84 

Cost   in   chemicals 0   36 


Technical    costs $1    80 

"This  leaves  $1.26  per  ton  to  cover  remaining  costs,   and  will  give  a  reasonably  good 
profit  on  the  tonnage  basis  given." 

"The  advent  of  iiiiprovements  in  the  mechanical  handling  of  large  bodies  of  wet 
materials,  invented  by  metallurgical  engineers  of  the  c.vanide  process,  brings  the 
author's  method  well  within  tlu'  bounds  of  practicabilit>'." 

Later'-  in  a  discussion  of  the  reactions  involved,  he  contends: 

"a   propel-  concentration   of  sodium   sulpliide   and   alkaline   hydrate   being   necessary   to 
the  complete  dissolution  of   HgS  :   the  reaction  outlined  may   be   thus   rept  esenteJ : 


2  NaoS  +  HgS  +  H.O      ^     ^     Xa,.   HgS,+NaSH-uNaOH 

"Under  var.ving  conditions  f)f  dihition  and  tempeiature  the  reaction  is  reversible; 
hence  the  necessit.v  for  caiefully  determining  the.se  points  b.v  at-tual  tests  on  the  ore 
to  be  treated." 

Various  other  investii^ators^-'  have  stated  the  reaction  tn  he  repre- 
sented l)y  the  ecpiation  : 

lloS  +  Na,S  ==  HgS.Na,S 
or  hy  : 

IlgS  -f  2Xa,S  =  HgS.2Xa.,R. 

The  only  commercial  api)lication  of  these  reactions,  of  record  to  date, 
is  that  at  the  Buffalo  Klines,  Cobalt,  Ontario,  Canada,  and  described  by 
Thoi'iihill'^  in  101.").  In  this  case,  liowever,  the  process  is  utilized  to 
recover  an  artificial  mercurial  product.  In  the  amaluamation  of  hiyli- 
grade  silver  ores  and  concentrates  in  strong  cyanide  solution,  as  prac- 
ticed there,  the  (piicksilver  losses  proved  to  he  rather  hi'^h.  Chemical 
investigations  revealed  the  fact  that  in  addition  to  a  certain  loss  due  to 
flouring,  very  appreciable  amounts  of  (piicksilver  were  converted  to  the 
sulphide  hy  the  gi'indiiig  contact  willi  the  sil\-er  sulphitles.  (The 
writer  has  seen  inereiiric  sulphide  formed,  in  the  laboratory,  by  grind- 
ini;-  (piicksilver  and  Hour  sulphur  together  in  an  agate  mortar,  dry.) 

'=Mulholland,  C.  A.,  Wet  m.thod  of  niercurv  extraction:  Min.  ii;-  .Sci.  Pre.s.s,  Vol.  111. 
p.    34  6,    Sept.    4,    I'M."). 

loj^Mg  below,  and  p.    31' 1.   <intr. 

"Thornhill.  K.  H..  Wet  method  of  mercury  extraction:  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  110. 
pp.  873  ST4.  .lime  />.  lHl->;  .-ilso.  Recovery  ol  mercur.v  fi'om  amalgamation  tailing: 
Am.  Inst.  .Min.  Kng.,  I'.ull.  KM.  pji.  1  G."i3-1 1!.");,  IHl.");  and  Min.  i«i  Sci.  Press,  vol.  HI, 
pp.   Jll-312,   Aug.   7,    111).".. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  325 

""The  process  developed  at  the  Buffalo  mines  for  this  purpose  consists  in  leaching 
out  the  mercuric  sulphide  with  u  caustic  alkaline  sulphide  solution,  then  precipitating 
the  meiiury   from   solution  with  metallic  aluminum.      The   equations   for  solution    (1) 
and  precipitation   (2)  are: 

HgS  +  NanS  -  HgS.NaoS  ( i ) 

3  HgS.   NaoS  +  S  NaOH  +  2  Al  =  3   Hg  +  6  Na-S  +  2  NaAlOs  +  4  HoO  (2  ) 

•'Small-scale  experiments  showed  that  a  complete  extraction  of  the  mercuric  sulphide 
could  be  made  by  an  ^  to  10  min.  treatment  of  the  residue  with  the  alkaline  sulpliide 
solution.  Advantage  was  taken  of  this  fact  in  the  commercial  plant,  by  applying  the 
solvent  to  the  residue  on  the  fllter-leaf.  as  no  agitation  of  any  sort  was  required. 

"The  operation  of  the  commercial  plant  is  essentially  as  follows:  The  residue  in  the 
pregnant  cyanide  solution  is  caked  on  a  Moore  filtei'-leaf  of  the  usual  construction  and 
the  cake  washed  free  of  silver  solution  with  water.  The  basket  is  then  lowered  into 
the  sodium  sulphide  solution  and  this  solution  drawn  through  the  cake  until  the 
effluent  shows  only  a  trace  of  mercury.  Usually  1  ton  of  solution  ^er  ton  of  residue 
is  sufficient.  This  mercuric  sulphide  solution  is  pumped  to  a  precipitating-tank  and 
the  mercury  thrown  down  by  adding  granular  aluminum  to  the  agitated  solution. 
Agitation  is  then  stopped,  the  precipitate  allowed  to  settle,  and  the  clear  .solution 
decanted.  The  precipitate  of  mercury  is  then  run  into  a  small  wash-tank  by  sweeping 
it  through  a  hole  in  the  bottom,  by  means  of  a  raking  mechanism  similar  to  a  Dorr 
thickener,  pieces  of  old  rubber  belting  being  riveted  to  the  bottom  of  the  rakes.  The 
precipitate  is  then  washed  with  water  by  decantation  and  drawn  off  into  a  steam 
drying-pan.  After  drying,  the  fluid  mercury  and  the  powdered  metallic  portion  are 
separated  by  raking  the  latter  off  with  a  hoe.  The  fluid  is  strained  through  a  canvas 
and  is  ready  to  return  to  the  circuit.  The  powdered  material,  containing  approxi- 
mately 75%  mercury,  is  then  retorted,  and  the  mercury  condensed  in  the  usual  manner. 

"The  strength  of  the  solvent  is  kept  up  to  4%  sodium  sulphide  and  1%  sodium 
hydroxide.  Weaker  solutions  can  be  used  with  equally  good  results,  but  the  quantity 
required  was  found  to  be  directly  proportional  to  the  strength  ;  that  is,  with  a 
4%  sodium  sulphide  solution,  1  ton  of  solution  would  extract  the  mercuric  sulphide 
from  1  ton  of  residue,  but  if  a  2</r  solution  was  used,  2  tons  would  be  required  per 
ton  of  residue  treated.  The  concentrated  solution  offers  the  advantage  of  less  solution 
to  handle  and  an  economy  of  aluniinum  in  tlie  precipitation.  The  sodium  sulphide 
used  is  the  commercial  salt  costing  $1.25  per  cwt.  in  barrels  f.  o.  b.  cars  Toronto. 

"The  precipitant  used  is  a  waste  product  of  aluminum-casting  foundries,  containing 
750c  aluminum,  the  impurities  consisting  of  varying  proportions  of  copper,  silica, 
wood,  waste,  grease,  etc.,  the  grease  being  burned  off  before  using  the  aluminum. 
About  J  lb.  of  this  material  is  used  per  pound  of  mercury  precipitate;!. 

"It  was  anticipated  that  the  sodium  aluminate  would  accumulate  in  the  solution 
to  such  an  extent  that  some  special  means  would  have  to  be  taken  to  remove  it.  This, 
however,  has  not  been  the  case.  Some  aluminum,  as  hydrate,  falls  with  the  mercury 
on  precipitation,  and  some  is  removed  during  the  process  of  leaching,  presumably  as 
calcium  aluminate,  which  collects  on  the  filter-cake.  This  precipitation  of  the  alumi- 
num regenerates  caustic  soda  so  that  the  consumption  of  this  chemical  is  reduced 
to  1/10  lb.  per  pound  of  mercury  recovered,  instead  of  J  lb.  as  shown  by  the  theoretical 
equation  for  precipitation.  Sodium  sulphide  is  also  regentrated  in  precipitation,  but 
there  is  also  a  mechanical  loss  of  approximately  20%  of  the  solution  used  in  leaching, 
as  no  water  is  used  to  recover  the  retained  sulphide. 

"From  May,   1914,   to  March,    1915.   37,650   lb.   of  mercury  has  been   recovered   at  a 

cost  of  approximately  13c.  per  pound  for  labor  and  chemicals. 

******* 

■'The  strength  of  the  sodium  sulphide  solution  is  determined  by   titrating  against  a 
standard   zinc   chloride   solution,    using   sodium   nitro-prusside   as   an   outside   indicator. 
"The  menairy  produced  by  this  process  is  of  exceptional  purity." 

Ill  his  earlier  paper  noted/*'  he  remarks : 

"With  a  clean  cinnabar  ore,  the  mercury  would  be  obtained  wholly  in  the  fluid 
form  without  retorting,  and  by  straining  through  canvas  it  would  be  made  ready  for 
market. 

"The  cost  of  installation  should  not  exceed  $500  per  ton  of  capacity."  Standard 
cyanide  equipment  would  be  utilized.  Quicksilver  could  be  placed  on  the  market  in 
3  to  4  days  after  the  plant  starts. 

Tlie  hist-iianied  feature  would  be  a  distinct  advantage  over  the 
furnace  mode  of  having-  to  wait  weeks  and  even  months  for  the  plant  to 
reach  a  state  of  'saturation.'     (See  p.  243,  ante.) 

Mr.  H.  G.  S.  Anderson,  who  was  associated  with  Thornhill  in  the 
work  at  Cobalt,  Ontario,  ha.s  since  made  iinmerons  experiments  with 


'■'■Thornhill.  E.  B.,  Recovery  of  mercury  from  amalgamation  tailing:  Min.  &  Sci. 
Press,  vol.    Ill,  p.   211.  Aug.   7.    1915. 

'"Thornhill.  E.  B.,  Wet  method  of  mercurv  extraction:  Min.  &  .'^ci.  Press,  vol.  110, 
p.    873-S74.  June   5,   1915. 


'S26  CALIFORNIA    STATE    MINING   BrRUM'. 

this  process  on  cinnabar  ores,  and  has  very  kindly  furnished  the  author 
witli  a  .statciiicnt  rchitive  to  his  results,  which  is  incorporated  herein: 

"Tliis  ilouble  salt  of  mercury  siiltid  .nnrt  sodium  sulfid  is  unstable  in  solution  except 
in  the  presence  of  caustic  soda,  hence  the  presence  of  the  latter  is  necessary  in  order 
to  hold  the  former  in  suUition. 

"Tlie  addition  of  metallic  aluminum  or  chromium  to  a  solution  of  tlu>  doul)le  salt 
of  mercur,\-  sultid  and  sodium  sultid  will  pi'ocipitrUe  metallit'  mercury,  regenerate 
sodium  sullid,  and  dispose  of  tlie  ahnniiuim  and  clu-omiuni  as  ahuniiiates  and 
chroma  tes. 

******  « 

The  addition  of  lime  precipitates  the  alumina te  as  an  insoluble  calcium  aluminate 
and  regenerates  caustic  soda.  In  a  simple  liydrolysis  the  sodium  aluminate  will  break 
up  regeneratins'  caustic  soda  and  alumimim  li.\'diate. 

"Theoreticall.x-, -one  (1)  pound  of  aluminum  will  precipitate  eleven  (11)  pounds  of 
mercury,  but  practically  one  (1)  pound  of  aluminum  will  precipitate  seven  (7)  pounds 
of  mercury  due  to  the  fact  that  some  hydrogen  is  given  off  during  the  precipitation. 

Interfering    Elements. 

"l.,ini<inite,  or  ii'on  hydrate,  in  cxcessiyc  amounts  pi'ecipitates  tlie  sulfur  from  tlie 
solvent  and  causes  losses  of  the  latter. 

"Sulfid  of  antimony  reacts  in  the  same  manner  as  does  cinnabar,  l)ut  the  metallic 
antimony  will  not  contaminate  the  precipitated  mercury  since  the  antimony  will  float 
on  tlie  fluid  mercury  and  may  be  separated  from  the  latter  by  skimming  off  the  black 
amorplious   precipitate   of  antimony. 

"Sulfid  of  arsenic  will  form  sodium  arsenate.  The  arsenic  is  not  precipitated  out 
of  the  solution  by  either  of  the  foregoing  precipitates  and  hence  consumes  the  solvent. 

"If  any  or  all  of  the  foregoing  interfering  elements  are  not  present  in  e.xcessive 
amounts  the  loss  of  the  solvent,  due  to   their  presence,  v^'ill  not  be  great. 

Proposed  Methods  of  Recovering   Mercury  from  Cinnabar  Ores. 

"A  reduction  plant  to  recover  mercury  by  this  means  would  be  similar  to  a  mill 
for  cyaniding  gold  and  silver  ores  excepting  agitators,  which  would  not  be  necessary. 
The  similarity  may  be  made  more  apparent  when  it  is  considered  that  the  reduction 
of  the  ore  will  Ije  made  in  the  same  manner,  but  instead  of  employing  cyanide  for 
dissolution  and  zinc  for  precipitation,  sodium  sulfid  and  caustic  soda  is  used  for 
dissolution  and  aluminum  for  precipitation  ;  agitation  in  separate  tanks  seems  to 
be  unnecessary. 

*  *  *  ;IJ  *  *  * 

"I  have  made  numerous  e.xperiinents  on  cinnabar  ores  froin  California,  Nevada,  and 
Arizona,  and  find  that  when  the  interfering  elements  befoi-e  mentioned  are  not  in 
"too   large  amounts,  these  ores  would  be  commercialh-   amenable  to   such  a  method   of 

e.vtraction. 

******* 

"The  following  figures  give  the  results  of  two  such  tests  : 

"Nevada  Cinnabar  Company,  Tone,  Nevada  : 

Percentage   of  Mercury   in   Ore 0.7% 

Strength  of  Solution,   Sodium   Sulphide :-    1.0% 

Strength   of  Solution,   Sodium   Hydroxide --_    0.5% 

Pulp    Ratio    1    of   ore   to    3    of   solution 

Time    of    Treatment 20  to  60  minutes 

Fineness    of    Ore 40-mesh 

Percentage  of   Extraction 96% 

"Arizona  Cinnabar  Ore,  From   Matzatzal  Mountains  : 

Percentage   of   Mercury   in    Ore 1.0% 

Sti-ength   of   Sodium    Sulphide   Solution 1.5% 

Strength  of  Caustic  Soda  Solution 0.5% 

I'ulp    Ratio 1    of   ore    to    21    of   solution 

Time    of    Treatment 30   minutes  to  1   hour 

Fineness    of    Ore 40-mesh 

Percentage  of  Extraction 97% 

"You  will   note  that   the  extractions  have  been   96%  and   97%. 

"The  recovery  has  been  and  would  be  a  percentage  or  two  lower,  due  to  the  loss  of 
dissolved  values  along  the  lines  of  losses  in  cyanidation." 

In  the  course  of  some  correspondence''  relative  to  comparative  costs 
i}\'  the  wet  method  and  the  Scott  furnace,  Anderson  wrote: 

"The  advantages  of  reducing   [mercury]   ores  by  a  wet  process  will   be  as  follows: 
CD    First  cost  of  plant  from   :!ri%    to  50'/,    of  that  of  a  Scott  furnace  of  the  same 

capacit.v. 
(2)    I^ow  cost  to  treat  per  pound  of  nicnui>    produced. 
<3)    Higher  extraction  possible. 

(4)  Ability   to  work   ores  of  a   lower  grade. 

(5)  No  danger  of  salivation   to  workmen. 

(6)  Less   time   to  make  the  original   installation. 

(7)  No  mercury  ab.sorbed  or  tied  up  in  dust   cliaiiili<rs  or  turn-.ices. 

(8)  No   shut-downs   to  clean   up  dust   chambei's  m-   rurnacc. 

(9)  Puier  nurcurx-  tlian   by  the  furnace  method. 

(1(1)    Mcrcurv   'in   inocess'    for  shorter   peiiod.       (  1    to   .'i   clay.s.) 
»  ♦  »  *  *  *  * 

I'With  E.  \V.  Car.'^on.  in  Novcinlicr,  l'tir>.  See  also  p.  211.  tiiitf  ;  and  reproduced  in 
I     Ik.i-..    with   lliH  ciiiisi-'nt   of  both   iiartics. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  327 

"On  a  basis  of  a  100-ton  plant  working:  on  a  10-pound-per-ton  mercury  ore,  we 
estimate  tliat  the  cost  of  production  will  he  appi-oximutely  ten  cents  (lO(')  per  pound 
for  the  metallursical  treatment  only;  the  minins  will,  of  course,  be  independent  of  the 
milling  lost.  This  includes  all  costs,  ovcihead,  etc.  We  ha\e  reco\'ered  about 
€0,000  pt)unds  of  mercury  in  Canada  diu-ins  the  past  IS  months  at  a  cost  of  IS^*  per 
pound  but  have  treated  only  a  small  tonnage  dail>'  and  there  has  been  a  large 
chemical  loss  due  to  the  ore  or  i-ather  concentrate  containing-  from  20'X.  to  25% 
arsenic,  ri'/,  cobalt  and  nickel,  and  5%  antimony  together  with  varying  amounts  of 
other  metals.  The  mechanical  loss  was  also  larger  than  it  should  have  been  due  to 
arrangement  of  Hlters.  While  it  is  not  proper  to  attempt  to  make  a  direct  comr'ari- 
son   in  costs  with   the  plant   in   Canada,   still   it  acts  as  a  check  on  estimates. 

******* 

"The  costs  as  shown  b.v  your  operations  are  from  two  to  three  cents  less  than  my 
estimates  of  the  cost  for  treating  by  the  wet  method.  Not  taking  into  considei  ation 
the  difference  in  e.xtraction,  the  furnace  method  shows  a  less  cost  per  poimd  proiluceil 
on  your  grade  of  ore  than  what  I  think  can  be  done  by  the  method  I  li;ive  outlined  ; 
however,  the  additional  extraction  will  offset  this  difference  in  costs.  For  instance, 
on  a  basis  of  5 Of  per  pound  mercury,  an  additional  extraction  of  3  lb.,  which  is 
entirely  probable,  will  entail  a  charge  against  a  furnace  method  of  37..5-=-10  =  .3.75(! 
per  pound,  bringing  up  the  real  cost  of  the  furnace  product  to  7.44(?  +  S.TS^,'  =  11.19^ 
per  pound  on  a  10  lb.  ore.  Nevertheless,  your  figures  are  facts  and  mine  are  estimates, 
although  I  am  certain  that  I  am  within  the  limits.  Since  receiving  your  letters,  I 
am  inclined  to  be  pleased  that  my  estimates  are  so  close  to  the  figure  that  it  is 
actually  costing  to  produce  in  a  vicinity  whicli  I  presume  has  the  lowest  costs  of 
any  in  this  California  field.  I  should  venture  the  opinion  tliat  your  location  being 
favorable  would  be  inducive  to  lower  cost  for  labor  and  supplies. 

"I  am  submitting  for  your  perusal  my  estimates  of  the  different  operating  cost 
items  which  would  prevail  in  a  mill  using  the  wet  method,  these  being  outside  figures. 
WHiile  fine  grinding  would  be  necessary,  it  will  not  be  relatively  as  costly  as  in  the 
case  of  such  reduction  for  cyanidation  of  gold  and  silver  ores,  for  the  reason  that  we 
have  found  that  the  leaching  action  is  relatively  fast  and  the  cinnabar  seems  to  be 
exposed  to  the  action  of  the  solvent  before  it  (the  ore)  is  ground  to  the  same  degree 
of  fineness  as  are  gold  and  silver  ores  previous  to  cyanidation. 
"Estimated  Milling  Costs.  (10  lb.  ore) 
"40C  per   ton   Coarse   &    Fine    Grinding    (including   power,    repairs,    etc.). 

ton   Filtering. 

ton   Chemical  Loss. 

ton   Mechanical   Loss. 

ton   Repairs  &  Renewals. 

ton   Precipitation. 

ton  Oveihead  Expense. 

$1.05   per  ton  Total   Operating  Expense. 

.$1.05  H-  10  =  10. 5^*   per   pound   for   10   lb.   ore.      (50   tons   daily.) 
******* 

"I  am  certain  that  this  price  is  an  outside  figure  wlien  leasing  the  selling  price  of 
mercury  at  its  base  price  of  approximately  SOf*  per  pound,  upon  which  we  make  all  of 
our  estimates.  At  the  present  time  [November,  1915]  scrap  aluminum  is  selling  some- 
what higher  than  in  normal  times  and  tlie  precipitation  expense  is  larger,  but  under 
normal  conditions  with  scrap  aluminium  at  2^!^  per  pound,  tlie  precipitating  cost  is 
about  gc"  per  pound  of  mercury  precipitated.  The  last  quotation  on  tliis  scrap  was 
7(  per  lb.,  so  that  the  cost  now  would  be  about  2(!  per  pound  of  mercui-y. 

"In  my  opinion,  the  additional  extraction  po^;sible  would  more  than  offset  the 
difference  in  the  cost  of  fui'nacing,  at  S(  per  pound  as  against  an  outside  figin-e  of  lO^! 
or  even  12('  with  precipitation  at  a  higher  cost  at  the  same  time.  I  am  reasonably 
sure  that  a  wet  method  would  make  an  additional  extraction  of  i  lb.  of  mercuiy,  which 
at  present  prices  wovdd  be  worth  at  least  TSc*  and  on  a  basis  of  a  ten  pound  ore 
would  create  an  additional  charge,  against  each  pound  of  the  90%  saved  by  the 
furnace  method,  of  lh(.  making  the  real  cost  as  compared  to  the  apparent  cost,  some- 
where near  !'>(:  per  pound  of  mercury  produced.  I  feel  that  I  am  .iustifiecl  in  assuming 
that  this  additional  amount  of  quicksilver  will  he  saved  since  all  of  our  tests  on 
ores  from  California,  Arizona,  Nevada,  and  Texas  sliow  that  a  practically  total 
extraction  is  an  economic  possibility  in  addition  to  the  fact  that  in  our  eighteen 
months'  operating  in  Canada  recovering  both  metallic  and  chemically  precipitated 
quicksilver,  we  found  that  our  tailings  assays  from  the  filters  invariably  were  a  trace; 
checks  against  our  assays  for  the  entire  period  by  means  of  actual  knowledge  of  the 
amount  that  we  used  in  amalgamation  process  showed  that  our  losses  were  less  than 
a  quarter  of  a  pound  per  ton  and  most  of  this  was  dissolved  loss  as  our  installation 
did  not  permit  of  a  thorough  displacement  of  the  pregnant  solution  of  mercury.  In 
an  installation  of  a  reduction  plant  for  a  commercial  mercury  ore  pi'oper  means 
could  ))e  taken  to  prevent  an  excessive  loss  of  any  dissolved  values  and  hence  pro- 
vide a  large  saving.  I  am  aware  that  my  assertion  of  such  a  high  percentage 
saving  is  taken  by  many  people  with  'a  grain  of  salt'  but  actual  practice  and  testing 
bears  the  statement  out.  The  mechanical  difllculties  of  filtering  is  the  problem  as  the 
dissolution  of  values  is  readily  accomplished. 

"You  will  have  notii-cd  from  the  theoretical  eciuation  that  there  is  a  regeneration  of 
the  solvent  Na-S  to  twice  its  former  strength  due  to  precipitation  of  mei-cury.  This 
is  accomplished  at  the  expense  of  the  caustic  soda.  Sodium  aluminate  is  generated 
but  lime  added  or  Vjy  means  of  lime  in  the  ore  the  precipitation  of  the  calcium  as 
calcium  aluminate  and  regeneration  of  tlie  caustic  soda  really  makes  the  loss  of  caus- 
tic soda  1/10  11).;  caustic  soda  sells  for  Sf*  per -poimd.  We  have  found  one  ore  which 
approaches  this  theoretical  vei-y  closel.v.  There  aie  some  ores  high  in  ar.senic  which 
we  covdd  not  treat;   12  or  in  lbs.  of  "lu'diated  ii-on"   is  beneficial,  more  is  detrimental. 


lOf 

per 

15<' 

per 

15C 

per 

IOC 

per 

5C 

per 

lOt* 

per 

328  CAUFORXTA    STATE    :\ITXTXG    r:rREAT'. 

"I  think  iliat  \i)ii  will  asi'Pf  with  me  wlien  I  say  that  any  ore  irrespective  of  its 
metal  content  will  have  tlie  same  meclianical  costs  to  be  charKetl  asninst  it  for  reduc- 
tion to  its  i-eciuireci  (Icjjrce  of  fineness  in  order  that  its  contained  min(>ral  may  be 
subjected  to  the  action  of  the  solvent  ;  then  the  additional  charge  to  be  made  against 
any  added  metal  content  will  be  the  cliemical  charge.  Tliis  actually  amounts  to  but- 
1/io  lb.  of  I'austic  soda  for  every  jjound  of  mercury  precipitated,  so  tliat  tlie  additional 
cost  of  treating  an  ore  ten  pounds  in  t'.xcess  of  any  other  ore  at  hand  will  be  but  SC. 
Otlier  ingiedients  in  the  ore  whicli  might  be  harmful  to  the  solvent  will  exercise  their 
harmful   effects  regardl(>ss  of  the  metal  content  of  the  ore  in  mercury. 

"Of  course,  there  would  be  no  additional  charge  per  pound  for  additional  pounds 
of  mercury  produced  in  a  furnace,  but  the  difference  is  very  slight  in  any  case.  For 
this  reason,  while  I  believe  that  tlie  greatest  field  will  be  in  mines  of  a  lower  grade 
tlian  it  is  possible  to  treat  at  present  by  the  furnace,  I  do  not  concede  that  the  slight 
additional  cost  of  recovery  per  pound  of  mercury  from  the  lowest  grade  it 
is  possible  to  treat  at  present  by  means  of  a  furnace  to  any  number  of  pounds  per 
ton  aV)ove  this  amount,  will   be  a  valid  argimient  against   treating  higlier   grade   ores. 

"I  am  aware  that  a  wet  process  Is  not  a  pana-^ea  for  all  the  ills  of  mercury  pro- 
duction  and  wish   to  ascertain  its  limits." 

ELECTROLYTIC   DEPOSITION. 

Tlie  present  prices  (November,  1917)  prevailino-  for  aluminum, 
though  about  one-third  less  than  the  market  prices  of  November,  1915, 
noted  by  Anderson  in  the  foregoing  quotation,  are  still  above  the 
normal  pre-war  level.  There  would  appear  to  be  a  field  for  investiga- 
tion as  to  the  applicability  of  electrolytic  deposition  of  the  mercury 
from  the  alkaline  sulphide  solution.  The  writer  would  like  to  have 
undertaken  some  research  work  on  this  phase  of  the  subject,  but  the 
necessity  of  getting  the  main  features  of  this  report  printed  at  as  early 
a  date  as  possible,  prevented.  The  advantage  would  appear  to  be  with 
the  aluminum  method  of  precipitation  because  of  its  regenerative  fea- 
tures M'ith  respect  to  both  the  Na^S  and  the  NaOH.  Whether  an 
electrolytic  method  would  have  similar  regenerative  features  seems  not 
to  have  been  determined,  as  yet.  Dr.  Duschak  of  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of 
Mines,  Experiment  Station,  Berkeley,  informs  the  writer  that  he  hopes 
to  undertake  an  investigation  of  this  phase  of  the  subject,  in  the  near 
future.  Electrolytic  deposition  has  been  suggested  by  jNEulholland,^^ 
and  by  Schnabel  and  Louis  -^^ 

"No  attempts  have  yet  been  made  to  extract  mercury  electrolytically.  *  *  *  jt 
must,  however,  be  admitted  that  cinnabar  is  readily  soluble  in  solutions  of  alkaline 
sulphides  containing  caustic  alkalies,  and  that  the  electrolysis  of  the  solutions  of 
mercury  sulphide  and  oxide  thus  obtained  should  offer  no  difficulties,  and  would  not 
re(|uire  an.v  very  high  electric  tension. 

"According  to  Brand,  ^"c'innabar  is  readily  decomposed  at  the  anode  of  an  electric 
current,  whilst  mercury  is  thrown  down  at  the  cathode,  a  solution  of  common  salt  or 
dilute  hydrochloric  acid  being  employed  as  a  bath.  The  tension  in  the  bath  is  said  to 
amount  to  1  volt.  Tlie  power  to  extract  1  kilogram  of  mercury  in  this  way  would 
accordingly  amovmt  to 

1  volt  X  2  66.5  amperes        „  .  ,    , 

-       ^rr,         .»  ,^~^^ =  0-51   horsepower  per  hotu-, 

650   watts  X  0.7;) 

since  266.5  amperes  can  deposit  1  kilogram  of  mercury  per  hour,  and  since  one  horse- 
power, assmning  12'/^  of  lo.ss  in  conversion,  would  yield  not  7;!5,  but  650  watts,  and 
since  the  loss  of  current  by  conversion  into  heat,  bv  short-circuiting,  etc.,  amoimts  to 
2n'/,.  *  *  *  A.  V.  Siemens  ( Kng.  I'at.  No.  712:?.  April  1,  1896)  proposes  to  con- 
vert mercuric  sulphide  (like  the  suliiliide  of  antimony  and  arsenic)  into  a  soluble 
double  sidpliide  b\'  treatment  with  sulpli-hydratcs  of  calcitmi,  bariimi,  strontium,  or 
magnesitmi,  and  to  electrolyse  this  witliout  diaphragms.  In  this  way  tlie  lixdrogen 
lilierated  at  the  cathode  coniliines  with  tlie  sulphur  of  the  mercui-ic  sulphide,  setting 
free  mercury  and  forming  tlie  sulph-liydrates  of  calcium,  barium,  strontium,  and 
magnesium,  which  latter  are  then  converted  into  bisulpliides  by  the  oxygen  evolved 
during  the  electrolysis.      *      *      *      This   process   lias   not    found    piactical   application." 

"•See  p.   323.  (rntr. 

'".Schnabel   &    Louis:    Handbook    of   Metallurgv.   vol.    II,    2d   ed.,    1;mi7.   p.    4tO. 

-"Damnier,  ("lieiu.   Tei  lmoloj;ie,    vol.   II.   [i.    11. 


t^UlCKSlLVEU    UESOUKCES.  329 

PRACTICAL  APPLICATIONS   OF  CONCENTRATION   TO 
QUICKSILVER  ORES  IN  CALIFORNIA. 

Quicksilver  operators,  particularly  the  older  men,  have  until  (piite 
recently  almost  uniformly  maintained  that  "you  can't  concentrate 
quicksilver  ore."  From  the  .standpoint  of  relative  density,  it  does  not 
appear  reasonable  that  cinnabar  cannot  be  successfully  concentrated, 
having  a  specific  gravity  (8.0)  practically  double  that  of  chalcopyrite 
(4.2)  which  is  also  quite  friable,  and  nearly  double  that  of  pyrite 
(5.0).  Both  of  these  others  are  economically  recovered  by  concentra- 
tion in  various  tonnages  at  numerous  mines  all  over  the  world,  the 
former  for  its  copper  contents  and  the  latter  for  gold  values.  This 
skepticism  was  voiced  by  Egieston,  in  1890  :^ 

"Generally  the  ore.  as  it  comes  from  any  of  the  mines,  is  more  or  less  hand-picked. 
The  attempts  which  have  been  made  to  treat  the  ores  mechanically  have  usually  not 
been  successful,  as  cinnabar  is  so  friable  that  more  floats  off  with  the  water  than  is 
concentrated  ;  the  most  successful  machine  has  been  the  Frue  vanncr.  *  *  *  It  is 
doubtful  whether  the  concentration  by  any  of  the  methods  now  in  u^e,  except  a 
moderate  amount  of  hand-picking,  will  be  worth  making.  No  concentration  of  the 
tine  ore  has  as  yet  been  successful." 

This,  too,  notwithstanding  the  statement  of  Hanks-  in  1884,  relative 
to  assays  for  mercury : 

"The  best  practical  test,  especially  for  the  prospector,  is  to  use  the  horn  spoon, 
and  treat  the  pulverized  rock  as  for  gold.  If  the  rock  contains  cinnabar  an  intensely 
red  powder  fringing  the  residue,  will  be  obtained  for  a  'prospect.'  If  in  a  metallic 
state,  minute  globules  will  be  the  result.  After  a  few  trials  the  prospector  will  feel 
the  utmost  confidence  in  his  assays,  and  will  decide  at  a  glance  whether  his  ore  con- 
tains mercury,  and  approximately  the  quantity.  The  best  vessel  for  this  assay  is  the 
batea,  *  *  *  if  there  is  a  particle  of  cinnabar  present,  it  will  be  found  at  the 
point  of  the  prospect,   clearly  distinct  from  all   other   substances." 

Richards'*  states  that  at  Idria,  Austria,  "wet  crushing  was  carried 
on  from  1694  to  1842  when  the  losses  were  found  to  be  too  great"  and 
a  system  of  stage-crushing,  trommel-screening,  and  picking  on  belts 
substituted.  He  also  summarizes  the  wet  concentration  method  in  use 
in  1895  at  the  Cornacchino  mine,  Tuscany,  Italy,  which  is  described  by 
Rosenlecher.* 

The  following  descriptions  are  taken  up  in  approximately  the 
chronological  order  of  the  plant  installations. 

The  fir.st  recorded  practical  concentration  of  cinnabar  on  a  com- 
mercial scale  in  California  was  at  the  San  Carlos  mine  of  the  New 
Idria  company  in  San  Benito  County,  in  1871.  The  ore  then  mined 
consisted  largely  of  'tierras'  (tines^). 

"chiefly  from  a  soft,  somewhat  decomposed  clay  rock,  which  is  impregnated  with 
cinnabar,  *  *  *  Nearly  all  the  material  mined  here  now  crumbles  to  a  mass  of 
earth.  This  earth  is  first  packed  by  donkeys  down  to  the  San  Carlos  Creek,  where  it 
is  concentrated  by  washing,  after  which  the  tierras  so  obtained  are  hauled  to  the 
New  Idria  hacienda." 


'Egieston,  T.,  Metallurgy  of  ."Silver,  Gold  and  Merciny  in  the  U.  S.,  vol.  IT, 
p.   804,  1S90. 

=Hanks.  H.  G..  Cal.  .State  Min.   Bur.,  Report  IV.  p.  .332.   1SS4. 

Richards,  R.  H.  :  Ore  Dressing,  vol.  I,  p.   481,  1905;  vol.  II,  p.   1074,   190.5;  vol.   IV, 
p.   1919,   1909. 

*Ro.senleclier.  R.,  Description  of  the  method  of  dressing  quicksilver  ores  in  Tuscany 
bv  u.se  of  trommel,  hand  iig,  hand  picking  and  tie:  Berg.  u.  Hiitt.  Zeit.,  vol.  LIV, 
p.   373,   1895. 

■■•Goodyear,  "^^  A.,  Report  on  examination  of  the  quicksilver  mines  of  California: 
Geol.  Sufv.  of  Cal.,  Geol.  vol.  II,  p.  120,  18  82. 


330  CALIFORNIA   STATK    .MIX IXC   BL'REAU. 

it  is  not  stilted  what  a[)i>liaii<M's  wt-re  used,  hut  prcsuinahly  the  wash- 
infj  was  done  with  sluices  oi-  with  rockers. 

Another  early  recovei'v  of  ciinialjar  hy  concentration  in  California 
was  from  the  stream  gravels  on  the  upper  waters  of  the  Trinity  River." 
Trinity  Count \-.  During'  the  eai-ly  days  of  placer  gold  operations 
there,  fragments  of  a  crimson-colored  rock  were  found  1)\'  the  miners, 
intermixed  with  the  gold-dust,  its  weight  being  such  as  to  prevent  their 
easy  separation.  This  'red  stuft"  was  considered  very  much  of  a 
nuisance,  and  no  attemi)ts  at  utilizing  it  were  made  until  1873.  when 
the  high  prices  of  quicksilver 

"induced  parties  to  commence  gathering-  it  in  the  vicinity  of  the  locality  now  known 
as  Cinnabar,  where  tlie  surface  soil  over  a  considerable  area  contained  these  particles 
of  rich  ore,  much  of  wliich  had  been  carried  by  the  water  and  lodged  along  the 
adjacent  ravines.  Washing  these  ravines  with  rockers  afforded  the  miners  good 
wages  for  some  time,  when  they  finally  came  upon  the  veins  from  which  these  frag- 
ments had  escaped"    (the  Altoona  and  Integral  mines). 

Later,"  soft  ochreous  ore  from  the  lode  was  concentrated  in  boxes  on 
Brussels  carpet,  and  the  concentrates  retorted. 

The  first  'modern'  concentration  plant  in  successful  commercial  oper- 
ation on  quicksilver  ores  in  California  was  that  of  G.  V.  Xorthey  at  the 
Manzanita  mine  in  Colusa  County.  This  was  described  by  Xorthey,* 
and  by  Forstner,''  from  whose  report  the  accompanying  tiow-sheet 
(Plate  XL)  is  taken.  See  also  the  writer's^"  report  on  the  ]\Ianzanita 
mine  in  1913.  The  total  quicksilver  production  of  the  mine  approx- 
imates 2000  tiasks,  the  most  of  which  was  obtained  by  means  of  con- 
centration during  the  eight  years  ending  with  1912.  The  ore  was 
broken  in  a  No.  1  Gates  crusher  to  pass  a  1-incli  screen,  then  through 
a  5-foot  Huntington  mill  with  2()-mesli  screen.  Six  Gilpin  County 
(Colorado)  bumping  tables  were  used  (later  moved  to  the  ^i]tna  mine. 
Napa  County,  q.v.),  the  tailings  from  which  passed  to  cone  classifiers. 
The  undertlow  from  the  cones  was  i)assed  to  a  Hartlett  concentrator,  and 
the  overtiow  for  a  time  to  a  Ix'lt  vanner  but  later  discarded.  The 
Huntington  mill  was  provided  with  regulating  arms  and  screws  which 
regulated  the  pressure  of  the  rollers  on  the  inside  of  the  large  ring  or 
die.  This  is  stated  to  have  produced  a  minimum  of  slimed  cinnabar. 
The  crushing  end  of  the  plant  was  driven  by  a  25  h.  p.  distillate  engine, 
and  the  concentrators  by  a  separate  unit.  One  machine  man  and  two 
helpers  were  reciuired.  Xorthe>-  states"  that  the  mill  treated  from  two 
to  five  tons  of  ore  per  hour,  the  concenti'ates  averaging  'So%  quicksilver 
(often  as  high  as  ()8%),  "wliile  the  tailings  for  several  months'  mill- 


"Ravmond,  R.  \\'..  Statistics  of  mines  and  mining  in  the  states  and  territories  west 
of  the  Rockv  Mountains:  Report  VlII,  for  year  1S76,  p.   19. 

'Miller,  W.    P..   in  Repoit  X  of  Slate  Mineralogist,  p.   TIG,   1890. 

"Northev,  O.  \'.,  Concentration  of  linnabar  ores:  Kng.  &  Min.  .Tour.,  vol.  96, 
pp,    7.S3-7S4,   Oct.    2."),    I'tl.'). 

"F'orstner,  Win.,  Quicksilver  i-esourie.s  of  California:  Cal.  State  Miii.  I!ui-.,  Hull.  27, 
pp.   4ii.    19.S-2((L',    ]90:!. 

'"Hradley,  W.  W.,  Mines  &  mineial  res.  of  Colusa  et  al.  counties:  Cal.  State  Min. 
Bur.,  chapters  of  State  Mineralogist  Report,  1913-1914,  pp.  17-18,  1915;  also  in 
Report  XIV,   pp.    189-190.    191(,;. 

"0/(.  (it.,  p.  7S:!. 


QU1C'K81LVKK    KESOURCES. 


331 


PLATE  XL. 

Plan   and  e  ley  a  Iron   of    Concentrating     System, 

Manzanita    Mine . 

a=  Crusher 

b  -  Hu  n  t  ingto  n    Mill 

c.d=  Bumping  Tables 

e=  Tailings  Concentrators 

f  =  Elevator 


3- 


=^■•■0 

c 


--♦  -• 


D 


ing  averaged  from  5f-10f'-  jjer  ton."  The  dried  cpneentrates,  mixed 
with  10%-25%  lime,  were  retorted.  The  cost  of  milling  is  stated  to 
have  been  60^  per  ton  of  ore  treated,  including  fuel,  wages,  deterior- 
ation, etc.,  except  office  expenses.  Under  some  favorable  conditions 
the  cost  of  milling  was  reduced  as  low  as  25^  per  ton.  This  low  cost 
applied  to  ore  that  occurred  in  the  form  of  sand,  the  connnon  name  in 
the  camp  being  'I)r()wn  sugar.'  The  average  value  of  the  ore  was  a])out 
$5  per  ton,  or  about  0.5%  quicksilver.  Additional  data  with  refer- 
ence to  this  ])lant  are  given  herein,  under  the  head  of  retorts.'-  The 
Cerise  Gokl  Mining  Co.  early  in  1917.  took  over  the  ^lanzanita  mine 
and  the  adjoining  Cherry-  gold  mine,  and  has  .since  built  a  mill  to 
extract  the  gold  from  the  ores  of  both.  Later,  it  is  intended  also  to 
recover  the  quicksilver,  by  concentration  of  the  cinnabar. 


»==See  pp.  210-212.  ante. 


332  CA1>IF()KNIA   STATK   .MINING   BIKKAU. 

At  the  Socrates  mine,'''  Sonoma  County,  during  1908  and  1909,  the 
Socrates  Development  Co..  opei-ating  the  ])i-o])erty  under  bond,  made  a 
small  outjiut  of  quieksilver,  emi)h)ying  a  Huntington  mill  and  a  Wood- 
bury coneentrator.  The  concentrates  were  retorted.  The  Socrates  ore 
is  characterized  by  a  considerable  proportion  of  native  quicksilver. 

At  the  Elgin  mine,  Colusa  County  near  the  Manzanita  mine,  some 
production  was  made  in  1908-1909'^  with  a  Griffin  mill  and  Colorado 
bumping  tables.  A  few  fiasks  of  quicksilver  in  1916  are  stated  to  have 
been  made  by  concentration  on  surface  ore. 

The  above-mentioned  accomplishments  of  Northey  were  largely 
ignored  or  overlooked,  until  TJ.  P.  Newcomb  in  1913  began  concentrat- 
ing the  dumps  at  the  Oat  Hill  mine  in  Napa  County,  and  whose  work 
AvavS  described  by  the  Mriter.^'^  During  the  summer  of  1913,  Newcomb 
had  in  operation  one  New  Standard  concentrating  table  (Llewellyn  Iron 
Works,  Los  Angeles),  as  a  trial  plant,  screening,  sluicing,  and  concen- 
trating material  from  the  old,  low-grade,  mine  dumps.  Later,  he 
added  two  more  tables  and  a  revolving  screen,  with  a  5  h.  p.  distillate 
engine  to  drive  the  screen  and  a  1^  h.  p.  for  the  concentrators. 

With  two  tables  operating  one  8-hour  shift  daily,  handling  an  esti- 
mated 10  tons  each  per  shift  or  a  total  of  600  tons  per  month,  Newcomb 
states  his  cost  figures  to  have  been : 

Overhead    $175 

Labor    (2   men) 160 

Gasoline  and  oil 15 

Miscellaneous   (including  wood,  powder,  horse  feed,  etc.) 50 

Total    per   month $400 

This  is  equivalent  to  $0.67  per  ton  of  ore  handled ;  and  the  yield 
was  approximately  16  flasks  (1200  pounds)  of  quicksilver  per  month. 
This  2-table  plant  cost  him  $1500  installed,  including  a  two-pipe  retort. 
The  dump  material  was  ground-sluiced  to  500'  of  riffled  (1")  wooden 
flume,  12"xl2''';  then  over  a  1"  grizzly  (to  discard  the  coarser 
material)  :  then  through  2  rifHed  Hume  boxes  (25')  ;  then  over  an 
8-mesh  screen,  and  the  fines  sent  to  the  concentratoi's.  Occasionally 
a  stick  of  15'/('  dynamite  was  used  to  loosen  the  dump.  The  concen- 
trates yielded  an  average  of  10  flasks  of  (piicksilver  per  ton  retorted, 
or  37.5%.  Newcomb  tried  several  difl'erent  grades,  but  found  this  to 
be  a  good  material  to  retort;  and,  at  the  same  time,  l)eing  not  too  clean 
saved  the  values  on  the  concentrators  witli  a  minimum  loss  in  the  tail- 
ings. With  a  somewhat  lower  grade  concentrate  he  found  the  tendency 
of  the  concentrate  to  pack,  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  difficult  to 


I 


"Bradlev.  W.  "W.,  on.  fit.,  p.   ITS:  nlso  Cal.   ^Fin.   Biir..   Report   .XIV.  p.    SfiO.   11116. 

"l(\<in.  p.    17:  also  Report   XIV.  p.    1S!1,    l!>lfi. 

'"Utiut.  pp.   118-irj;  also  Report  XIV.  pp.   L'Ihi    2!M,   1  ;t  1 1!. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


333 


expel  all  of  tlic  (iiiicksilvei-;  while  at  the  other  extreme,  a  piwe  eiiina- 
bar  would  entirely  volatilize,  leaving  no  residue.  To  get  the  latter, 
however,  cinnabar  would  be  lost  in  the  concentrator  tailings.  He  esti- 
mated that  he  eould  hatidle  at  a  profit  material  carrying  as  low  as 
0.15%  mercury  (3  pounds  per  ton).  The  ore  being  a  friable  sandstone 
with  impregnated  cinnabar,  and  having  lain  out  iu  the  weather  for 
some  years,  it  is  more  or  less  disintegrated  and  air-slaked,  requiring 
little  or  no  crushing;  so  that  it  is  particularly  favorable  for  low-cost 
concentration  treatment.     On  the  trails  and  roadways  about  the  Oat 


Photo   No.   74.      Neill  Jig,   and   New  Standard  Table,   in  plant  of  Oat  Hill  Leasing 
Company,    Oat   Hill   Mine,    Napa    County. 

Hill  mine,  after  a  rain,  cinnabar  can  be  seen  concentrated  among  the 
rocks  and  small  crevices  of  the  water-courses. 

Later  (1915),  Newcomb  sub-leased  the  property  to  the  Oat  Hill 
Leasing  Co.,  who  increased  the  equipment  and  operated  up  to  July  1, 
1917,  on  a  larger  scale.  They  started  with  a  Neill  jig  and  a  single 
New  Standard  Table  at  the  #1  B.  Fanny  and  Eureka  dumps,  (see 
Photo  No.  74)  later  adding  two  more  tables;  also,  later  putting  in  a 
similar  jig  and  two-table  plant  on  the  ^lanzanita  dump.  The  dump 
material  was  gi-ouud-sluieed  to  and  through  400'-50()'  of  riffled 
launders    {12"xV2").     The  riffles  were  made  up  of  1-iuch  angle-iron 


834 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  Bl'REAU. 


PLATE  XLI 


RIFFLE    UNIT 

OAT     HILL     Ml  M 
NAPA  CO.,  CaL. 


e*  in. 


///7,U-     3Jn.     -^      J/rt.    -^     3/n.    -*U-      J/n.    -A*-     Jin.    -»|^     3 in. 


Jin.    -*|    2 in.   [*- 


One-e/ff^tfy  inch  ong/eiron  throughout. 


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II                       II         1                       ll          1                       ll          1 

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^ccompani/ing  3u//etin  Mo.7S,  Ca/ifornio State A^inin^ BureatJ. 


(see  Plate  XLI).  Considerable  of  the  coarser  cinnabar  was  caught  in 
the  rififles,  besides  which  they  also  served  to  break  up  the  clay  lumps. 
At  the  end  of  the  launder  and  just  above  the  Neill  jig  a  revolving 
screen  with  ^-ineh  round  holes  reejected  the  larger  sized  pieces,  and 
^vas  at  first  expected  to  also  break  up  the  clay  lumps.  The  riffles, 
however,  proved  more  etfective  for  that  purpose  than  the  trommel.  A 
J/'  screen  was  used  in  the  jig  with  small  steel  balls  to  form  a  bed,  the 
underflow  of  which  went  to  the  tables.  The  bed  of  the  jig  was  cleaned 
up  every  3  or  4  days.  It  seemed  to  tlie  writer  that  the  jig  was  over- 
crowded— too  imicli  pulp  and  an  excess  of  water.  Considerable  fine 
pulp  boiled  over  the  top  and  went  out  a  riffled  discluirge  launder  to 
the  waste  dump.  The  writer  panned  n  good  'prospect'  from  some  of 
tiii.s  discluirged  pulp.  Without  doubt  this  jig  can  perform  an 
cfoiiomic  service  in  such  a  place  when  given  a  fair  chance,  as  it  has 
])ioveii  a  profitable  instalhition  on  gold  dredges'"  in  Calit'ornia  ami  on 
tin  drediics  in  Ahiska.  With  the  one  tal)h'  as  at  first  installed,  an 
average  of  500-600  pounds  of  concentrate  was  made  i>er  24  hours, 
assaying  20'/f  mercni'N-:  and  retorted  in  2-12"  pipe  i-etoi-ts,  225  pounds 
being  eliai'ged  pel"  S  houi's.  This  ])lant  was  (iriven  by  a  Ki  h.  p.  West- 
ern gas  engine,  Ijater.  a  'D'  retort  was  installed,  with  a  condenser 
system    eonsisting   of    a    (i"    pi|)e.   two    wooden    boxes,    2'  x  3'  x  ()'    and 


'"Edd.v.  L.   If.,  JJKs  (111  a  Califnrnia  .IrccU 
Jan.   2!»,  1916, 


KiiK.  &  Min.  Jmir.,  vol.    IiH.  pii.   207-208, 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


335 


2'x3'x-i'  and  a  sinall  lilower.     ]\ranzaiiitH.  madronc.  and  oak  are  the 
available  fuels. 

An  iindereurrent  li'rizzly  5'  long-,  with  !|"  opening-  is  plaeed  in  the 
launder  line  of  the  plant  on  the  ]\Ianzanita  dump,  to  reject  the  coarser 
material ;  hut  no  revolving-  screen  was  used  as  at  the  other  plant.  The 
Xeill  jig  and  two  tables  were  driven  by  a  5  h.  p.  Standard,  distillate 
engine.  In  the  ravine  below  the  Manzanita  dump,  the  le.ssees  had, 
in  February,  1916,  three  men  working  with  rockers,  concentrating 
material  which  the  rains  had  washed  down  from  the  dump.  A  fair 
amount  of  cinnabar  was  thus  recovered. 


Photo    No.    75.      Gilpin    County    (Colorado)    Bumping   Tables   in    Mill    at   JEtna 
Mine,    Napa    County.    September,    1913. 

As  the  Oat  Hill  mine  dumps  have  lain  out  in  the  weather  for  some 
year.s,  the  erosion  of  winter  rains  has  naturally  concentrated  consid- 
erable material  from  them  into  the  g-ravels  of  James  Creek  and  its 
tributary  ravines  below  the  dumps.  Lindblom  Bros.,  leasing  on  land 
on  James  Creek,  owned  by  ^Mrs.  ]\I.  Patten,  with  two  rockers  were  able 
to  make  30-40  pounds  of  concentrates  per  8-hour  day.  This  yielded 
30%-- i09(  mercury  in  a  retort  consisting  of  two  4"  pipes.  In  1915 
and  1916  there  were  several  others  operating  similarly,  in  a  small  way 
with  roekers,  farther  down  on  -Jame.s  Creek,  near  Aetna  Springs. 
Among  these  were:  A.  ^larro.  Joe  Faulishich,  Bert  and  Henry  Wells. 


336  CALIFORXI.V   STATE   MIXIXG   BFREAU. 

At  the  Wall  Street  iniiie.  Lake  County,  wlifii  visited  by  the  writer'" 
in  1913,  there  was  a  small  Chilean  mill  and  two  homemade  table-eon- 
centrators  said  to  liave  a  eapacity  to  handle  3i  tons  of  ore  per  day. 
]\[ore  recently  (September,  1917),  the  owner  reports  that  he  has  a 
small-size  Deister  concentrator.  Some  of  the  soft  ore  is  concentrated, 
but  the  hard  one  is  retorted  direct. 

At  the  ^tna  mine,  Napa  County,  Broi-  Soderhjelm,  lessee,  built  a 
concentration  plant,  which  when  visited  ])y  tlu^  writer^'*  in  September, 
1913,  was 

"tqnipped  with  a  Dod^e  crusher,  Griftin  mill  and  six  Gilpin  County  bumping:  tables, 
(see  Photo  No.  75)  the  whole  Vieing  operated  by  a  40  h.p.  distillate  engine.  It  was 
observed  that  the  Griffin  mill  made  a  considerable  proportion  of  slimes.  The  Gilpin 
Count.v  bumpers  seemed  to  collect  most  of  the  coarser  cinnabar,  but  lost  the  fines. 
As  already  pointed  out,  it  is  very  important  to  avoid  sliming  of  cinnabar,  as  it  is 
e.xtremely  friable.  The  use  of  a  common  power  unit  for  both  crushers  and  concen- 
trators is  also  objectionable  for  effective  concentration,  on  account  of  the  variations  of 
speed  caused  b.v  the  rock  breaker.  Having  discussed  these  points  with  Mr.  Soderhjelm 
at  the  time  above  noted  he  writes,  under  date  of  January  23,  l!tl4,  that  he  has  taken 
out  four  of  the  bumpers  and  put  one  New  Standard  (Llewellyn  Iron  Works,  Los 
Angeles)  table  in  their  place,  'but  the  Standard  table  had  too  much  to  do  ;  so  I  have 
ordered  another,  and  if  that  is  not  enough  I  wmU  have  some  more  of  the  same  kind, 
as  the  Standard  seems  to  take  kindly  to  the  slime.'  Also,  the  concentrators  are  now 
being  driven  by  a.  separate  5  h.p.  engine.  Ore  from  tlie  surface  cuts  is  soft  and 
clayey  while  that  from  underground  is  in  part  hard  and  siliceous.  The  capacity  of 
the  mill  is  stated  to  be  64  tons  per  eight  hours.  An  18-mesh  screen  is  used  on  the 
Griffin  mill.  The  concentrates  are  reduced  in  two  'D'  retorts,  arranged  with  both  a 
fan  and  a  water-jet  for  draught.  In  the  same  letter  above  quoted :  'I  found  tliat 
lime  was  not  so  good  as  charcoal  with  air  in  the  retort,  and  I  have  to  use  lots  of  it 
too,   besides  shaking  it  up   two  or  three   times."  " 

Soderhjelm  continued  operating  this  property,  treating  material 
both  from  the  mine  and  certain  of  the  old  dumps,  until  some  time  in 
1915,  when  the  lease  was  taken  over  by  other  parties,  with  A.  A.  Gib- 
son as  superintendent.  The  Soderhjelm  table  tailings  had  been 
impounded  on  account  of  the  slimed  cinnabar  contained,  A  sample 
from  these  tailings  was  utilized  by  the  writer  during  some  of  the  tests 
described  elsewhere  herein   (see  p.  287,  ante). 

At  the  time  of  the  writer's  visit  to  the  Aetna  mine  in  February,  HUG. 
the  crushing  plant  Avas  not  in  use,  but  some  of  the  concentrators  were 
in  operation.  Two  Colorado  bumpers  and  one  New  Standard  tal)k' 
had  been  transferred  to  the  '#7  Silver  Bow'  dump,  the  material  being 
ground-sluiced  to  them  thi'ough  rifiHed  laundci's  and  an  niidcrcurrent. 
At  the  Washington  dump  about  }^  mile  below,  they  were  sluicing 
through  rittled  launders  and  an  undercurrent  to  an  Eccleston  slime 
concentrator.  The  deck  of  this  table  was  covered  with  a  rubber  plate 
having  fine,  molded  rifllcs.  Tt  was  driven  by  a  '_'  h.  j).  Aerniotor  gas 
engine,  and  wa.s  producing,  per  8-hour  da.w  tiOO  Ih.  of  mitldlings  yield- 
ing 2%  mercury  and  50  lb.  of  concentrates  yiekling  np  to  60%  mer- 
cury. These  products  after  drying  wei-e  retoT'ted  with  sorted  ore  from 
the  mine.  As  at  Oat  llill.  it  was  impi'actieable  to  determine  the  per- 
centage of  extraction  made  by  the  concentrators,  because  the  material 

'•Bradley,  W.  AV.,  Mines  &  mineral  res.  of  t'olu.sa,  et  al.  counties:  Cal.  State  Min. 
Bur.,  chapters  of  St;ite  JMIiicialogist's  Fteport,  litl3-l!"14,  p.  67,  I'.HS;  also  in 
Report  XIV,  p.  fMK  l!ti(;. 

'-0/*.  cit.,  pp.    Ill     114  :  al.so  in  Report  XI\',   pp.   283-2S6. 


QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  337 

was  ground-sluiced  from  the  dumps,  makino;  difficult  even  a  reasonable 
estimation  of  the  weights  handled.  Only  the  weights  of  concentrates 
and  resulting  quicksilver,  and  its  final  cost  per  flask  produced  were 
readily  determinal)le.  Even  this  was  usually  not  recorded.  R.  P. 
Newcomb  at  the  Oat  Hill  mine  figured  that  he  could  produce  quick- 
silver there  at  a  cost  of  $10  per  flask ;  but  his  was  an  unusually  favor- 
able case. 

Since  the  rehabilitation  and  resumed  operation  of  the  60-ton  Scott 
furnace  at  the  ^Etna  mine,  the  past  year  [1917],  concentration  has 
been  discontinued  by  the  present  operators. 

Among  some  other,  smaller  operators  in  the  Colusa-Lake-Napa- 
Sonoma  district,  who  have  been  concentrating  quicksilver  ores  during 
the  past  two  years,  the  following  are  noted: 

At  the  Twin  Peaks  mine,  near  the  Oat  Hill  mine,  Napa  County,  for  a 
time  in  1916,  material  from  the  dumps  was  concentrated  on  one  New 
Standard  table. 

At  the  Great  Western  mine,  Lake  County,  the  Royal  Development 
'Co.  operated  for  a  time  in  1916  on  dump  material  with  one  New  Stand- 
ard table,  since  removed  to  the  Big  Injun  mine  west  of  Middletown. 

At  the  Great  Eastern  mine,  Sonoma  County,  concentration  was  tried 
for  a  short  time  with  a  Gates  machine  in  1916,  but  only  the  coarser 
sulphide  was  recovered,  the  slimed  cinnabar  remaining  in  suspension 
and  lost  with  the  tailings.     The  ore  was  apparently  ground  too  fine. 

At  the  Big  Injun  mine.  Lake  County,  there  is  one  New  Standard 
table  (formerly  at  the  Great  Western  mine),  which  was  employed  on 
low-grade  ore  during  the  winter  of  1916-1917  while  the  water  supply 
was  sufficient.  The  addition  of  a  revolving  screen  has  since  been  made 
to  the  equipment.  The  ore  contains  native  quicksilver  as  well  as  cin- 
nabar, in  soft  serpentine.  The  concentrates  are  retorted  with  high 
grade  ore. 

A  few  flasks  of  quicksilver,  each,  were  made  in  1916,  utilizing  con- 
centration, at  the  Wilbur  Hill  mine,  Colusa  County,  adjoining  the 
Manzanita:  at  the  Baker  mine.  Lake  County;  by  0.  W.  Boeseke  in 
Los  Priestos  district,  Santa  Barbara  County;  and  at  the  Rattlesnake 
mine,  Sonoma  County,  the  ore  of  this  last-named  mine  carrying  largely 
native  quicksilver. 

At  the  Bella  Union  mine,  Napa  County,  in  1916,  a  Deister  table  was 
tried  by  the  Rutherford  IMining  Co.,  but  it  saved  only  the  coarser  cin- 
nabar. Then  a  K  &  K  flotation  machine  was  installed,  the  fine  grind- 
ing being  done  with  a  Hendy  ball  mill,  3'  diam.  x  3'  long.  Flotation  is 
stated  to  have  saved  the  slimed  cinnabar  from  the  pulp,  well;  but  the 
<?oarser  particles  escaped.     Later,  two  Deister-Overstrom  tables  were 

22—38540 


338  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

used  in  eonjuiu-tion  with  the  liotatioii  niachinc,  to  ivemt'i-  the  cDurse 
einuabar.  Tho  oil  was  mixed  with  the  pulp  between  the  ball-mill,  and 
flotation  unit,  in  a  box  havin.ti'  the  form  of  an  inverted  pyramid.  With 
this  arrangement  operations  were  continued  for  only  a  short  time;  but 
the  write)'  is  not  informed  as  to  the  reasons  for  the  cessation.  Some 
statements  relative  to  this  ore  are  given  under  the  head  of  flotation 
tests,  elsewhere  herein.^" 

At  the  Cloverdale  mine,  Sonoma  County,  early  in  191(5.  an  experi- 
mental concentration  plant  was  in  operation  for  a  time,  using  a  New 
Standard  table.  Screens  of  ^  inch  and  10-mesh  were  uschI  and  the 
oversize  was  re-crushed  in  high-speed  rolls.  It  is  stated  that  the 
results  were  favorable,  but  for  certain  financial  reasons  a  larger  plant 
was  not  installed. 

At  the  Bullion  mine  near  ]\Iiddletown.  Lake  County,  in  the  spring 
of  1917,  a  few  flasks  of  quicksilver  were  obtained  from  concentration 
with  hand  rockers  working  on  old  dump  material. 

At  the  Barton  mine.  Oak  Bar,  Siskiyou  County,  in  191  (i.  \uuler  the 
superintendence  of  Wm.  Forstner,  concentration  was  tried  for  a  time, 
using  tables  and  burlap.  On  account  of  a  considerable  proportion  of 
the  cinnabar  being  in  the  form  of  'paint,'  Forstner  states-"  that  they 
were  able  to  obtain  only  50%  extraction,  on  material  running  '}  lb. 
cpiicksilver  per  cubic  yard.  The  burlap  caught  some  of  the  fine, 
crystalline  cinnabar,  but  not  the  paint. 

At  the  Kings  mine.  Kings  County,  during  a  portion  of  I9ir)-191H.  a 
concentrating  mill  was  in  operation,  equipped  with  a  Huntington  mill 
and  an  Isbell  table.  The  ore'-^  is  principally  of  soft  serpentine  and 
shale  with  some  sandstone,  and  carries  native  quicksilver  in  addition 
to  cinnabar.  The  concentrates  were  reduced  with  the  regular  ore 
charge  in  the  10-ton  Scott  furnace.  Tlie  writer  is  not  informed  as  to 
the  outcome  of  the  concentration  work,  but  he  noted  on  a  I'ecent  visit 
(September,  1917)  to  the  mine,  that  the  Isbell  table  had  l)eeii  taken 
away. 

At  the  Oceanic  mine  in  San  Luis  Obispo  County,  ^Murray  Innes  built 
a  small  coneeiiti-ation  mill  in  1914  to  handle  wet  ore  from  some  of  the 
old  mine  fills,  and  which  he  operated  u])  to  early  in  191(i  when  he 
bonded  the  pi'operty  to  E.  A.  Clark,  et  al,  of  New  York.  This  jdant 
was  described  by  Herberlein^-  and  by  Logan. -^  According  to  the  lat- 
ter's  description : 

"The  concentration  plant  consists  of  a  3V  Huiitinsfn  mill  and  Deistei'  table.  It 
was   originally    installed    far   the   purjiose   of    liandling    wet   ores   and    does   tliis    nicel.v. 

""See  p.   :n6,  ant<\ 

^"Conversation    with    the    writer. 

^'Bradley,  W.  W.,  et  al.  Mines  &  iniiu'ial  re.f.  of  Fresno  et  al.  cuiintles;  chapters 
of  State  MineraloKisfs  report,  l!tU  lill4,  ("al.  State  Min.  Bin-.,  p.  l(i:!.  I'.Uo;  also  in 
Report   XIV,   p.    5:i!t.    1916. 

"Hebcrlein,  C.  A.,  The  mining  and  reduction  of  quicksilver  ore  at  the  Oceanic  mine, 
Cambria,  Cal.  :  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Ens.,  Bull.  98,  p.  499.  February,  1915;  also  in 
Trans,   vol.    LI.   p.    112. 

■-'Logan,  C.  A.,  et  al.  Mines  and  mineral  res.  of  Monterey  et  al.  counties  ;  chapters 
of   State  Mineralogist's  report.   1915-1916.  Cal.   State  Min.   Bur.,   p.    122,    1917. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  339 

but    at    present    is    beins'    used    to    increase    the    capacity    of   the    furnace.      It    handles 

I't  tons  in  24  hours  and  yields  a  twcnty-to-one  concentrate  which  contains  an  average 

of  SO<;/r   of  the  values  so  that  its  product  adds  the  etiuivalent  of   12   tons  daily  to  the 

furnace   capacity.      The    ore    is    crushed    to    14-mesli    and    does    not    slime    appreciably 

because  of  the  friable  nature  of  the  gangue,  which  releases  the  small  cinnabar  crystals 

easily.      The  owner  does  not  claim  to  be  attempting  a  close  recovery     witli  tliis  little 

jilant,  but  aims  rather  to  make  a  rough  concentrate.      The  concentrates  are  sun  dried 

in   summer,    but   foi-   winter,    a  dryer   was   being   evolved   at    the    time   of   the   writer's 

\isit.   wliicli   utilized   tlie   hot   exhaust   of   the   distillate   engine.      This   is   later   reported 

to   be    satisfactory.     The   concentrates   are    fed   into   the   furnace    daily   with    the    ore, 

not  however  all  at  once. 

******* 

"The  figures  given  below  for  concentration  costs  apply  to  conditions  as  they 
existed  in  November,  1915. 

Concentration    Costs. 

Wages  of  3  millmen  at  $2.50  per  day $7   50 

Cost  of  power   (estimated,  basis  $25  h.p.-year),  21  h.p.  at  .068 1   43 

Total  cost  to  concentrate   15  tons  dally $8  93 

Cost  per  ton $0   597 

"This  figure  has  little  significance  when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  3  millmen  could 
take  care  of  a  tonnage  several  times  as  great  with  only  a  slight  added  expense  for 
power." 

Heberlein-*  states  that : 

"Some  experiments  have  been  made  lately  [February,  1915]  with  the  flotation 
process  on  ciuicksilver  ores,  but  it  is  hardly  probable  that  this  process  ever  will  find 
application  for  the  good  reasons:  (1)  The  fine  grinding  alone  would  cost  as  much  as 
the  ordinary  furnace  process;  and  (2)  the  oil  sticking  to  the  concentrates  would 
distill  over  In  the  retort  and  severely  impair  the  quicksilver  which  would  have  to  be 
especially  cleansed  of  its  coating  of  oil." 

The  writer  has  shown  elsewhere  herein-^  that  this  last-mentioned 
objection  apparently  does  not  so  work  out  in  practice.  So  small  an 
amount  of  oil  is  required  to  bring  about  flotation  of  the  cinnabar,  that 
an  inappreciable  quantity  seems  to  stick  to  the  concentrates. 

This  small  concentration  mill  was  replaced  in  1916  by  Clark  et  al, 
with  a  larger  plant  calculated  to  handle  300  tons  of  ore  per  day.  It 
was  equipped  with  ball  mills,  various  classifiers,  and  both  sand  and 
slime  tables.  The  ball  mills  ground  the  ore  so  fine  that  a  considerable 
proportion  of  the  cinnabar  was  slimed  and  lost  via  the  tail-race.  Junes 
resumed  the  management  of  the  property  in  the  spring  of  1917,  and 
both  concentration  plants  have  since  been  dismantled.  All  ore  from 
the  mine  now  is  treated  by  two  50-ton  Scott  furnaces. 

At  the  Nev^  Idria  mine,  San  Benito  County,  in  December,  1915,  two 
New  Standard  concentrating  tables  were  installed-" 

"between  the  grizzlies  and  the  No.  1  Cfine-ore)  furnace.  The  fine  ore,  after  pas.^ing 
tlirough  the  grizzly,  is  fed  onto  a  shaking  screen  of  8-mesh,  tlie  coarser  material 
going  direct  to  the  Scott  furnace  and  the  through  product  to  the  concentrators.  In 
two  8-liour  shifts  tliese  two  machines  were  (December,  1915),  handling  a  total  of 
36  tons  of  ore,  and  making  4 J  tons  of  a  concentrate  carrying  approximately  69c-7% 
mercury,  from  an  oi'iginal  ore  of  about  0.5%  mercury.  By  thus  eliminating  the  very 
fine  material  from  tlie  ore  which  has  a  tendency  to  interfere  witli  the  furnace  draught 
and  to  hold  back  the  volatilization  of  the  quicksil\er,  the  capacity  of  the  Scott  furnacft' 
has  been  raised  to  about  75  tons  daily.  On  account  of  the  large  percentage  of  fines 
coming  from  the  mine,  some  of  this  ore  was  being  added  to  the  coarse-ore  furnace 
charge.  Naturally  this  interfered  in  a  more  marked  degree  with  the  capacities  of  the 
two  coarse-ore  furnaces  than  the  extreme  fines  did  with  the  Scott.  The  elimination 
of  practically  32  tons  daily  of  the  extreme  fines  by  concentration  has  thus  relieved 
the  No.  2  and  No.  3  furnaces  of  fine  ore,  giving  them  also,  freer  action  anil  increased 
capacity.      The  concentrates  after  drying  aie  cliarged  with  ore  to  the  Scott  furnace." 


-*Op.    cit.,   p.    499. 
-^See  p.  305.  ante. 

-'■Bradley,    W.    W.,    et    al.    Mines    and    mineral    res.    of    Monterey    et    al.    counties: 
Cliapters  of  State  Mineralogist's  report,   1915-1916,  Cal.   State  Min.   Bur.,  p.    73,    1917. 


-J 

X 

M 
H 
< 
►J 

a, 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  341 

Siuce  the  above  was  written,  tlie  plant  and  praetiee  at  New  Idria 
have  been  improved  and  expanded  materially.  The  accompanying 
flow-sheet  (see  Plate  XLII)  indicates  the  part  that  concentration  is  at 
present  playing  at  this  the  largest  producing  quicksilver  mine  in  the 
Western  Hemisphere.  The  drawing  gives  the  flow^-sheet,  as  of  May, 
1917.  Though  there  have  been  some  changes  of  details,  since,  this  will 
give  a  good,  general  idea  of  the  New  Idria  practice,  quite  recently. 
It  is  stated  that  before  the  ball-mill  was  added,  a  New  Standard  table 
handling  screened  8-mesh  tines  from  the  San  Carlos  only,  showed  less 
slimed  cinnabar  in  the  tailing's  than  since.  The  underground  work- 
ings of  this  company  are  divided  into  two  groups;  designated  the  New 
Idria,  and  the  San  Carlos,  respectively.  The  reduction  plant  is  sta- 
tioned at  the  former  (see  Photo  No.  21,  ante),  while  the  latter  is  con- 
nected with  it  by  an  aerial  tram  2  miles  in  length.  Two-thirds  of  the 
grizzly  (1")  fines  from  the  San  Carlos,  and  the  — ^"  screen-house 
fines  from  the  New  Idria  go  to  the  concentration  mill.  From  the  mill 
ore-bin  there  are  4  caterpillar  feeders  W'ith  three  speeds  each,  Avhich  mix 
the  San  Carlos-New  Idria  ores  in  the  desired  proportions  and  deliver 
onto  a  belt  conveyor.  This,  in  turn  discharges  into  a  launder  where  a 
stream  of  water  carries  the  pulp  into  the  ball-mill  center-feed.  The 
ball-mill  also  has  a  scoop-feed  for  picking  up  the  returned  middlings 
and  trommel  oversize.  When  visited  by  the  writer,  October  2,  1917, 
preparations  were  being  made  to  add  a  Richards'  pulsator-jig  to  take 
the  —  ^/'  feed  from  the  screen-house  trommel  instead  of  this  feed  run- 
ning through  the  launder.  A  hutch-concentrate  will  there  be  taken 
out,  while  the  ball-mill  trommel  oversize  and  the  jig-tailing  will  go 
direct  to  the  center-feed  of  the  mill.  The  scoop -feed  will  continue  to 
juek  up  the  returned  middlings.  This  arrangement  is  expected  to  pre- 
vent sliming  in  the  ball-mill  of  those  particles  of  cinnabar  which  are 
sufficiently  broken  and  clean  to  concentrate  in  the  jig. 

The  grinding  unit  is  an  Allis-Chalmers  ball  granulator,  7'  diam.  x  5' 
long,  with  screen-grating  of  ^"'  maximum  size  (one-half  on  y^"  '^^^ 
one-half  on  Y').  A  manganese-steel  cascade  lining  is  used,  wdth 
chrome-steel  balls  (4"  diameter  at  start ;  when  worn  down  to  ly  they 
were  taken  out  and  used  in  the  soot  mill-').  The  consumption  of  balls 
is  ^  pound  per  ton  of  ore  ground.  The  ball-mill  is  driven  by  a  100 
h.  p.  Fairbanks-^Morse,  type  Y.  semi-Diesel,  2-cylinder  upright  engiiiie. 
There  is  a  short  trommel  on  the  ball-mill  discharge. 

From  the  ball-mill  trommel,  the  undersize  pulp  passes  through  a  6- 
compartment  Richards  pulsator-classifier  (a  second  one  will  be  added 
shortly,  and  the  feed  divided,  as  the  one,  alone,  is  crowded,  handling 
160  tons  per  day),  with  a  1  m.  m.  screen;  the  product  of  each  of  the 


^See  p.  276,  ante. 


342  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

fi  spi<2:ots  s'oos  to  a  separate  Deister-Overstrom  double-deck  tal)le,  the 
six  tal)l('s  bciii^-  driven  by  a  20  h.  p.  Fairbanks-^Mor.se,  type  Y,  semi- 
diesel  engine.  The  amount  of  tlie  niiddlingvs  is  regulated  by  the  width 
of  the  'cut',  and  they  are  I'eturned  by  a  bucket  elevator  to  the  ])all- 
niill  for  regrinding.  An  improved  extraction  is  obtained  since  the 
Richards'  classifier  has  been  installed.  The  slime  tables  noted  on  the 
flow-sheet  have  been  cut  out  since  adding  the  classifier. 

The  concentrates  averaging  13%  mercury  are  transported  in  solid- 
bottom,  hopper,  end-dump  steel  cars  to  a  special  rotary  drier  installed 
above  the  Scott  fine-ore  furnace.  This  rotary  drier  is  2'  9"  inside 
diameter,  20'  long,  set  on  a  grade  of  1'  in  the  20',  and  driven  at  8 
r.  ]).  m.  by  a  4  h.  p.  ga.s  engine.  TIk^  temperature  is  kept  at  50°  C, 
being  recorded  by  a  Brown  electric  pyrometer.  The  dried  concen- 
trates are  discharged  into  a  bin  from  which  they  are  fed  to  the  Scott 
furnace,  at  the  rate  of  8  shovelfuls  each  time  the  furnace  is  charged. 

The  mill  engines  consume  4  bbl.  of  Calol  Fuel  Oil,  22°-24°  B.  per 
day,  which  costs  approximately  $1.60  per  bbl.  (large  contracts)  at 
Mendota,  and  about  $3.40  per  1)1)1.  at  the  mine. 

The  mill  heads  are  sampled  at  tlie  conveyor-belt  discharge,  weight 
being  determined  by  a  moisture  sample  and  the  car  tally.  The  car 
tally  is  checked  weekly  with  a  1  cu.  ft.  box.  Since  this  practice  has 
been  adopted  it  has  been  found  that  former  tonnages  were  overesti- 
mated. The  tailings  are  sami)led  automatically  in  the  tail-race.  The 
concentrates  are  sampled  by  hand  at  the  furnace-car  loading  chute, 
after  drying.  Screen  analyses  show  that  the  cinnabar  lost  in  the  tail- 
ings is  mainly  in  the  extreme  fines  ( — 100  mesh),  and  in  the 
unreleased  (-|-  20  mesh)  material. 

The  soot-mill  operation  at  the  New  Idria  i)lant  is  one  of  concentra- 
tion, but  is  described-'*  elsewhere  herein,  under  the  discussion  of  soot 
treatment. 

In  the  spring  of  1917,  a  series  of  experiments  were  carried  ont  with 
flotation  at  New  Idria.  With  the  mill  heads  a.ssaying  14  i)ounils 
(0.7%)  mercury  ])er  ton.  table  concentration  was  reducing  the  tailings 
to  a  4-poun(l  assay  value.  Flotation,  alone,  did  not  give  as  good  a 
result  as  the  tables,  alone;  bnt  combined,  the  tailings  assays  were 
reduced  to  3  pounds  of  quicksilver.  A  combination  of  1  part  pine-tar 
oil  and  2  parts  mineral  oil  were  used.  The  .Minerals  Separation  com- 
pany demanded  as  i-oyalty  for  use  of  the  flotation  process,  $1.50  per 
flask  on  the  (iitire  oiilinil  of  lln  niiin  .  though  less  than  50%  of  the  ore 
goes  to  tlie  mill,  and  of  that,  only  the  slimed  |)orti()n  would  have  Ix-cn 
treated  by  flotation.  As  this  was  considci-cd  nnrcasonablc.  Ilotatioii 
was  dropped  from  consideration. 


^See  p.   275,  ante. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  343 

At  tlie  New  Almaden  mino,  Santa  Clara  County,  l)()th  table  concen- 
tration and  flotation  wci'e  tried  in  1916-1917.  Init  had  just  been  dis- 
continued at  the  time  of  tlie  writer's  visit  in  September.  l!)17.  In 
June.  1916,  a  concentration  plant  consisting*  of  a  ball-mill  and  a 
Deister-Overstrom  table  was  in  operation  at  the  old  Randol  dump,  but 
later  moved  to  another  part  of  the  property,  as  the  quicksilver  values 
in  the  dump  material  were  spotted  and  too  low  for  commercial  work. 
On  June  loth,  with  the  plant  running  smoothly  and  apparently  doing 
good  work,  samples  taken  every  half-hour  for  5  hours  assayed  as  fol- 
lows: Heads  0.03%  mercury;  tails  0.015%;  middlings  0.03%;  concen- 
trates 1.16%.  The  ore  treated  in  the  5  hours  amounted  to  20  cars  of 
15^  cu.  ft.  each.  There  was  occasionally  a  very  little  native  quick- 
silver, which  was  caught  by  amalgamation  on  a  piece  of  tin  at  the 
concentrate-discharge  end  of  the  table. 

Following  that,  concentration  plants  were  placed  in  operation  at 
the  Day  tunnel  and  at  the  Senator  mine  which  is  at  the  north  end 
of  the  New  Almaden  property.  These  plants  consisted  of  crushers, 
ball-mills  and  Deister-Overstrom  tables.  The  concentrates  were 
roasted  mixed  with  ore,  in  the  Herreschoff-^  furnace  installed  at  the 
Senator.  Electric  motors  furnished  the  power.  In  the  Day  tunnel 
mill,  below  the  jaw  crusher  was  a  6'  x  5'  Allis-Chalmers  ball-mill  in 
closed  circuit  with  a  Dorr  Simplex  classifier.  The  grinding  was  regu- 
lated so  that  approximately  87%  of  the  pulp  passed  60  mesh.  The 
overflow  from  the  classifier  pa.ssed  through  -1  Callow  flotation  cells, 
and  then  to  1  double-deck  Deister-Overstrom  table.  The  table  was 
not  only  crowded  (120  tons  per  24  hr.)  but  was  compelled  to  handle 
an  unclassified  feed.  A  12'  diam.  x  6'  high,  Dorr  settler  dewatered 
the  concentrates,  followed  by  a  6'  diam.  x  4'  Oliver  filter.  The  con- 
centrates were  handled  by  motor  truck  to  the  Ilerreschoff  furnace. 
It  is  stated  that  the  heads  sample  averaged  0.23%  mercury;  that  the 
tailings  could  have  been  brought  down  to  0.03%  mercury  by  finer 
grinding:  that  the  equipment  and  practice  could  have  been  improved 
so  that  an  extraction  of  over  80%  could  have  been  ol)tained;  but  that 
it  cost  from  .$80-$85  per  flask  (including  furnace  reduction  of  the 
concentrates)  to  produce  the  metal,  as  against  .$45-$50  per  flask  by 
careful  sorting  and  regulation  of  the  ore  feeding  direct  to  the  furnace. 
Fine  grinding  was  the  expensive  part  of  the  process.  The  ore  being 
largely  a  hard  and  tougli.  silicified  serpentine,  the  steel-liner  and  ball 
consumption  was  high.  There  is  no  ochre  in  the  ore.  l)ut  considerable 
slime  from  the  serpentine.  Screen  analyses  showed  einiiabai-  in  the 
flotation  tailings  on  the  — 80  and  — 100-mesh  'chats'. 


'See  p.   250.  ante. 


344 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 


The  Motalion  plant  at  the  iSeiiator  liacl  '.I  ("allow  cells  aii(_l  a  Deister- 
Overstrom  table;  and  at  first  used  two  4' x  4'  ball-mills.  These  latter 
were  replaced  by  a  -iV  x  6'  Marcy  mill.  The  flotation  eoncentrates 
proved  to  be  messy  stuff  (see  Photo  No.  76)  to  handle,  and  not  the 
easiest  thiuii-  1o  dry  for  convenient  feeding-  to  the  fnrnaee.  Accord- 
ing to  R.  S.  Lewis^°  others  have  found  the  handling  of  flotation  con- 
centrates fai"  from  being  an  'unalloyed  pleasure.'  After  passing 
through  the  flotation  cell,  the  pulp  passed  directly  to  the  tables  with- 


•  / 


^i 


■Ctr- 


Photo   No.   76.      Flotation  Concentrates  drying  in  the  sun,  at  the  Senator  Mine  of  New  Almaden 

Company,    Santa    Clara    County. 

out  further  classification  or  dewatering.  Some  experiments  were  tried 
with  dewatering  at  the  Senatoi-  |)liiiit.  but  with  only  slight  success,  it 
is  stated. 

There  was,  how^ever,  a  concentration  plant  of  another  sort  in  oper- 
ation at  the  Hacienda  of  the  New  Almaden  Company,  at  the  time  of 
the  writer's  visit.  The  ground  underneath  the  site  of  the  old  inter- 
mittent adobe  furnaces,  and  of  two  of  the  oldei-  Seott  I'lirnaces  and 
their  condensers,  was  being  excavated  to  bedrock,  a  depth  of  25'  to 
30'.     This    earth,    sand    and    gravel    is    well-sprinkled    with    dissemi- 


'"Lewi.s,    R.    S.,    The    disposal    of    niit:ili()ii    lu-odiut.s :    Min.    &-    Sii.    Press,    vol.     111. 
pp.  473-484,  April  7.  1917. 


QUICKSILVER    RESOURCES. 


345 


nated  globnlos  of  quicksilver.''^  which  h;ul  worked  their  way  down  from 
the  furnaces  during  the  years  of  operation  liere.  The  material  is 
hoisted  and  transported  by  an  Alaska-carrier  cable,  having  a  bucket 
of  1  ton  capacity.  From  50  to  100  buckets  per  day  are  hoisted,  the 
men  working  on  a  bonus  system.  The  bucket  dumps  into  a  bin  (see 
Photo  No.  77)  from  which  the  material  is  fed  to  a  revolving  screen 
with  f-inch  round  holes.*  The  — J"  material  then  passes  to  a  'log 
washer'    (having    a    screw    conveyor)  ;    then,    .successively,    through    a 


v-^ii 


c.. 


Photo   No.   77.      Gravel-washing   plant   for    recovering    metallic    quicksilver   from    material 
excavated    from    old    furnace    sites,    at    Hacienda    of    New    Almaden    Company,    Santa 
Clara   County. 

riffled  launder;  a  Richards  pulsator-riffle  (Hungarian  riffles  with  a 
pulsator  compartment)  ;  and  finally  through  another  riffled  launder. 
This  has  proved  to  be  quite  an  effective  plant  for  the  material  being 
handled.  Even  the  bin  at  the  head  had  to  be  made  mercury  tight 
with  provision  for  drawing  it  off  as  eon.sideral)lc  (piicksilver  settles 
out  there  when  the  bucket  is  dumped.  The  larger  boulders  are  liiiiid- 
sorted  out,  in  the  pit.  and  dumped  to  one  >ide  of  the  washing  plant. 
At  the  Guadalupe  niin(\  Santa  Clara  County,  a  concentrating  plant 
of  50  tons  daily  capacity  was  built  in  the  winter  of  1916-1917.  and 


"See  Photo  No.   50,  ante. 

*Pince  the  above  was  written,  owins  to  the  material  becoming  lowe'r  grade,  a 
small  hydraulic  giant  sluices  it  to  a  sump,  whence  it  is  raised  by  a  centrifugal  pump 
to    the    launders. 


346  CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING   BUREAU. 

st.irlcd  oix'i-atiiiii-  in  Fchriuiry  on  material  from  the  old  mine  dumps. 
The  mill  is  on  the  hank  of  the  creek,  alongside  of  the  dumps. 
The  ore  is  trammed  hy  hand  and  dumped  into  an  underground  pocket 
from  which  it  is  hoisted  by  a  .ski|)  to  the  mill  bin.  Crushing  is  done 
in  a  -V  X  4'  Ilendy  ])all-mill,  with  20-mesh  screen  discharge,  from 
Avhieh  the  pulp  passes  through  a  Dorr  Simplex  classifier.  The  coarse 
product  goes  to  2  Wilfley  sand  tables,  and  the  fines  to  a  #5  Deister 
and  a  Deister-Overstrom  table.  The  concentrates  are  stated  to  assay 
8^-10%  mercury  as  only  a  roughing  operation  is  attempted.  Con- 
siderable slimes  are  made.  The  concentrates  are  reduced  in  the  fine- 
ore  furnac(\s. 

At  the  Harrison  mine,  Yolo  County,  undei'  l)ond  to  January  Jones, 
a  concentration  mill  was  being  built  in  July,  1917,  when  visited  by 
IMr.  Emile  Huguenin  of  the  staff  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau ;  and 
from  whose  notes  the  following  data  are  taken.  The  mill  is  to  have 
a  capacity  of  150  tons  of  ore  daily;  and  is  equipped  with  crushers, 
ball-mill,  Wilfiey  tables  for  the  sand,  and  Deister  concentrators  for 
the  slime.  It  is  expected  to  begin  operation  of  the  mill  after  the  fall 
rains  provide  a  water  supply.  Meanwhile,  ore  from  the  mine  was 
being  hand-sorted  and  retorted. 

At  the  Sulphur  Bank  mine,  under  bond  to  the  Sulphur  Bank  x\sso- 
ciation,  ])reparations  are  being  made  to  concentrate  the  extensive 
dumps  (tf  many  years'  accumulation.  Practically  all  of  the  dumps 
in  sight  (see  Photo  No.  10,  ante),  and  some  over  the  hill  on  the  north 
side  have  concentratable  values.  A  steam-shovel  will  be  utilized  for 
excavating  the  material,  and  motor-trucks  for  transportation  to  the 
mill  bins,  as  it  will  be  necessary  to  haul  it  up  to  one-third  of  a  mile  in 
distance  and  raise  to  an  elevation  above  the  mill-site.  When  visited 
by  the  writer  in  September,  1017.  a  plant  serving  as  a  test  unit  had 
been  in  operation  several  weeks.  The  main  difficulties  encountered 
here,  not  only  in  concentrating,  but  in  assaying,  retorting  or  fui-nac- 
ing,  are  all  due  to  the  excess  of  free  sulphur.  A  sami)le  of  concen- 
trates assaying  15%  mercury,  show(Ml  on  analysis  a  content  of  over 
20%-  native,  free  sulphur.  Table  tailings  from  the  same  run  showed 
15%  free  sulphur.  No  provision  had  as  yet  been  made  in  this  test- 
unit  for  crushing  or  grinding  the  feed.  Of  500  tons  excavated,  daily, 
300  tons  of  the  coarser  material  was  eliminated  by  the  grizzly:  and  the 
revolving  screen  (i  inch  opening)  took  out  75  Ions  from  the  remainder, 
leaving  125  tons  daily  to  he  handled  l)y  I  he  4  Deister-Overstrom  tables. 
There  were  two  Challenge  ore  feeders  below  the  ore-bin  chutes.  The 
revolving  sei-een  was  l(i'  long  x  42"  diaiti..  made  of  single-crimped 
wire,  the  whole  plant  being  driven  In'  a  15  h.  ]).  gas  engine.  Water 
is   puniped   against  85'   head,   from   Clear  Lake  to   two   wooden   tanks 


(.^LICKSllAEK    KESOURCES. 


347 


(6,000  and  10,000  gal.)  above  the  mill,  l)y  a  tfiplex,  geared  Gould 
pump,  lOO-gal.  per  min.,  driven  by  a  10  h.  p.  Type  Y,  Fairbanks- 
]\rorse,  semi-Diesel  engine  burning  24°  R.  fut^l  oil.  Another,  200-gaL 
pump  will  later  be  added. 

As  the  tables  were  at  first  operated  on  this  ore,  the  concentrates  and 
middlings  were  rather  crowded  together,  and  considerable  native  sul- 
phur was  mixed  with  both.  Though  a  cleaner  concentrate  was 
obtained  than  later,  it  was  at  the  expense  of  extraction,  as  cinnabar 
in  tlie  middlings  was  crowded  over  into  the  tailings.  B,y  flattening 
the  grade  of  the  table  and  changing  the  wash-water  feed,  the  products 
were  spread  out  more,  and  showed  the  following  order  at  the  concen- 
trate end :  a  bright  red  streak  of  cinnabar ;  a  bright-yellow  streak  of 
fairly  clean  native  sulphur ;  a  mixed  streak  of  sulphur,  cinnabar  and 
some  middlings ;  middlings,  containing  in  addition  to  some  cinnabar 
and  sulphur,  the  coarser  particles  of  the  white  leached  basalt.  Finer 
crushing  will  probably  eliminate  the  last-named.  It  is  expected  that 
later  another  table  may  be  added  to  clean  the  middlings  and  to  make 
a  fairly  clean  sulphur  product. 

The  assays  given  herewith,  show  the  improvement  in  extraction  with 
the  change  of  practice,   and  the  relative  changes  in  assay  values  of 
the  products.     The  percentage  of  extraction  is  calculated  on  the  basis 
of  the  following  equation : 
100  b   (a-c), 


Recoverv  = 


where  a  =  head  assav ;  b  =  concentrate 


a   (b-c) 

a.ssay;  c  =  tailings  assay.  This  gives  a  slightly  higher  result  than 
the  'indicated  extraction'  based  on  the  simple  proportion  of  tails 
assa.v :  heads  assav,  subtracted  from  100. 


Date 


8/23/17 

8/23/17 
8/23/17 
8/23/17 
8/24/17 
8/24/17 
8/24/17 
9/  1/17 
9/  1/17 
9/  1/17 


Sample 


Mill  heads 

Tailings   

Concentrates  (forenoon) 
Concentrates  (afternoon) 

Heads  

Tailings   

Concentrates    

Heads  

Tailings   

Concentrates    


Per  cent 
Hg. 


2.44 
1.44 

25.1 

28.0 
2-5 
1..52 

24.5 
2.04 
0.40 

14.8 


Pounds 

Hg.  per 

ton 


48.8 
28.8 

502.0 

560.0 
50.0 
30.4 

490.0 

40.8 

8.0 

296.0 


Per  cent 
recovery 


43.4 

42.6 
82.6 


Screen  analyses  show  most  of  the  mercury  lost  in  the  tailings  to  be 
in  the  fines.  For  the  present,  the  concentrates  iirc  being  retorted, 
along  with  debris  from  the  old  Scott  furnaces  and  coiidcnsers.  The 
concentrates  are  spread  out  on  a  concrete  floor  to  dry.  after  which  lime 
is  added  in  the  proportion  of  1   lb.  to  eaeli  i)ound  (it)  <>f  free  sulphur 


348  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

contained.  The  large  amount  of  sulphur  present  has  a  strong  aiSnity 
for  the  iron  of  the  retorts ;  and  various  expedients  have  been  tried  for 
overcoming  it.  With  a  larger  plant  in  operation  after  the  present 
test-unit  has  served  its  i)urpose,  some  other  form  of  furnace  will  no 
doubt  be  used,  as  retorts  are  of  too  limited  capacity,  and  the  labor 
eost-per-ton  for  operating  Wunn  is  high. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  3-1:9 

ESTIMATES  OF  CONCENTRATION  COSTS. 

To  say  with  any  detiuitenoss  beforehand  what  a  given  process  will 
cost  is  not  a  simple  matter.  Costs  vary  widely  with  equipment,  char- 
acter of  ore,  labor,  and  other  local  conditions.  So  few  mines  that 
have  tried  concentration  on  quicksilver  ores  have  kept  an  accurate  or 
any  account  of  expenditures,  that  it  is  diiScult  to  give  any  exact  fig- 
ures. From  a  comparison  of  cost  data  on  mills  handling  other  ores, 
it  is  reasonable  to  estimate  that,  with  average  conditions  obtaining  in 
the  California  quicksilver  districts,  table  concentration  can  be  con- 
ducted at  cost  figures  between  50^  and  $1.25  per  ton,  including  crush- 
ing and  table  operations,  labor,  supplies  and  repairs.  Richards^  gives 
actual  concentration  costs  in  certain  stamp-mills  of :  $1.00  per  ton 
with  a  95-ton  per  day  mill;  $0.92  per  ton  on  a  175-ton  capacity;  and 
$0.28  on  a  700-ton  daily  capacity.  Rolls  will  do  better  work  on  quick- 
silver ores,  and  probably  be  cheaper  than  stamps.  Water  required 
will  amount  to  from  5-8  tons  (1200  to  1900  gal.)  per  ton  of  ore, 
depending  largely  on  the  nature  of  the  ore. 

"With  concentration  by  flotation,  operating  costs  will  be  somewhat 
higher  on  account  of  the  cost  of  finer  grinding.  From  the  experience 
at  New  Almaden-  it  would  appear  evident  that,  where  sliming  is 
necessary  to  release  the  cinnabar,  such  treatment  can  not  compete  with 
the  Scott  furnace ;  even  though  it  yield  a  somewhat  higher  recovery. 
Cost  data  have  been  published  in  a  number  of  recent  instances  for 
flotation  plants.  Simons"'  gives  the  following  for  the  Timber  Butte 
mill,  Montana,  treating  450  tons  daily  of  a  complex  copper-lead-zinc- 
pyrite  ore  and  making  several  products: 

"Treatment  costs  have  averaged  between  $2  and  $2.25  per  ton  of  ore  passed  through 
the  miU.  This  covers  labor,  power,  water.  supDlies,  repairs,  and  general  expenses, 
but  not  interest  on  investment  and  depreciation." 

In  the  mill  of  the  Consolidated  Arizona  Smelting  Co.,*  at  Humboldt, 
Arizona,  treating  240  tons  per  day,  of  copper  ore: 

"The  total  cost  of  concentration,  including  coarse  crushing  and  flotation  royalty, 
is  slightly  over  $1  per  ton.  In  September  [1915]  it  was  .$1.03.  Exclusive  of  royalty, 
the  cost  of  the  flotation  part  of  the  treatment  has  been  STc*  per  ton  during  a  period  of 
six  months.  The  cost  for  oil  is  2.S<^  per  pound  on  a  consumption  of  a  little  less  than 
one  pound  of  oil  per  ton  of  crude  ore.  The  power  consumed  by  the  flotation  machine 
[Minerals  Separation]  is  32.7  kw.  per  24  hours." 


'Richards,  R.   H. :   Ore  Dressing,  vol.  II,  pp.   1129,   1133;   1905. 

=See  p.  243,  ante. 

^Simons,  Theodore,  The  concentrator  of  the  Timber  Butte  Milling  Co.,  Butte,  Mont. : 
Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  Bull.  Sept.   1915,  p.   1307. 

^Unsigned,  dotation  at  Humboldt,  Arizona:  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  112,  p.  41, 
Jan.  S,  191B.      "Precis  of  an  article  appearing  in  Metall.  &  Chem.  Eng.,  Dec.  1,  1915." 


350  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 

At  Copperopolis,  California,  on  copper  ore,  using  Callow  cells,  Kob- 
bins^  gives  the  following  data: 

"Operating  costs.     These  are  shown  by  the  following  figures  taken  at  random  from 
the  company's  books,  representing  actual  costs  for  the  week  ending  July  7,  1916: 

"Power,   184  h.p.  per  day,  at  O.Si'oC  per  kw.  hr $191    25 

Operating  labor,   70  shifts,  at  $3.25 228   75 

Superintt-ndence,   repair   and  extra  labor 137   48 

Supplies    of    all    kinds 132   40 


$689    88 
"On  a  normal  tonnage  of  192  per  day,   this  is  equivalent  to  51. 4('  per  ton." 


REDUCTION  OF  CONCENTRATES. 

The  concentrates  being  obtained,  have  yet  to  be  roasted  to  get  the  final, 
desired  product, — metallic  quicksilver.  Retorts  are  of  limited  capac- 
ity, but  if  used,  the  concentrates  are  likely  to  require  some  stirring 
to  prevent  packing  on  account  of  their  high  specific  gravity,  especially 
if  assaying  between  10%  and  40%  mercury.  At  higher  values  than 
40%,  the  sulphide  should  be  self-burning  and  leave  but  little  residue. 
However,  it  is  rarely  ever  economic  to  produce  such  a  high-grade  con- 
centrate. A  small  furnace  of  the  Scott  type  could  be  used,  with  a 
narrower  shaft  and  narrow  shelf -slit :  such  as  was  in  use  for  treating 
soot  at  the  New  Idria  mine  for  some  years  until  the  recent  installation 
of  the  soot  concentration  mill.  This  was  suggested  by  the  writer*^  in  a 
recent  report  on  the  quicksilver  mines  of  Lake  County.  Here  again 
we  have  the  fuel  combustion  products  mixed  with  the  quicksilver 
vapor,  and  the  attendant  condensing  difficulties.  Some  form  of  a 
rotary  roaster  may  be  adapted,  similar  to  the  concentrate  drier  now 
in  use  at  New  Idria  ;  or  a  small-size  unit  of  the  Wedge  muffle-fired 
type  of  mechanically-rabbled  furnace.  This  last-named  would  have 
the  advantage  of  the  retort  principle  of  keeping  the  quicksilver  vapors 
apart  from  the  products  of  fuel  combustion.  The  Landers  retort^ 
would  also  have  this  same  advantage,  but  in  view  of  recent  experience 
at  Sulphur  Bank,  it  is  doubtful  if  any  form  of  cast-iron  retort  would 
last  long  when  handling  concentrates,  on  account  of  the  sulphur 
matteing  with  the  iron. 


■'■Robbins,  H.  R.,  Flotation  at  the  Calaveras  Copper — a  simple  flow-sheet :  Min.  & 
Kcl.   Press,  vol.   113,  p.   772,  Nov.   25,   1916. 

"Bradley,  W.  W.,  Mines  and  mineral  resources  of  Colusa  et  al.  counties,  chapters 
Of  State  Mineralogist's  report,  1913-1914,  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.  p.  56,  1915;  also  in 
Report  XTV,  p.  22  8,   1916. 

'See  D.  218.  ante. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  351 

ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  ALKALINE  SULPHIDE  SOLUTION 

METHOD. 

The  most  striking-  and  attractive  advantage  of  this  method  is  that  it 
obviates  the  necessity  for  an  expensive  furnace  instaUation,  on  those 
ores  which  are  amenable  to  it.  With  the  exception  of  heavily 
ochreons  ores,  practically  all  quicksilver  ores  can  be  handled  by  it. 
In  some  cases  where  extreme  tine-grinding-  would  be  required  to  give 
the  solution  contact  with  the  mercury  minerals,  the  cost  will  doubt- 
less be  too  high  in  comparison  with  Scott  furnace  treatment.  For 
most  ores,  grinding  need  not  be  tiner  than  —  80  or  —  100  mesh.  The 
plant  installation  should  not  cost  over  one-half  that  of  a  Scott  plant, 
as  the  standard  cyaniding  equipment  (but  without  agitators)  can  be 
utilized.     This  can  be  done  for  under  .$500  per  ton-day  capacity. 

With  this  system,  it  is  not  necessary  to  wait  months  or  even  weeks 
after  installation  before  metal  can  be  put  on  the  market.  Such  a 
plant  is  quicker  to  install  than  furnaces,  and  once  in  operation,  clean 
quicksilver  is  ready  for  bottling  in  3  or  1  days  at  the  outside.  The 
time  of  contact  required  of  the  ore  and  solution  is  very  short.  By 
grinding  'in  solution',  the  solvent  Avill  have  done  its  work  by  the  time 
the  pulp  reaches  the  filters,  without  the  necessity  of  any  intermediate 
agitators.  The  possible  recovery  is  high,  approaching  100%  of  the 
metallic  content  of  the  ore.  This  last-named  item  will  offset  the  some- 
what higher  operating  cost  as  compared  with  furnace  practice. 


;5r>2  CALIF'ORNIA    STATK   MININC    BrHEAU. 


CONCLUSIONS. 

With  some  of  the  conclusions  suiiiiiKirizcd  in  a  recent  paper  by 
Landers.^  the  autlior  is.  in  the  iiiiiiii,  in  accord: 

"Extractions  as  high  as  Se^/f  have  been  obtained  by  crushing  and  tabling  the  ore, 
but  there  are  undouljtedly  some  ores  in  which  the  cinnabar  occurs  in  an  almost 
amorphous  state,  wliorc  tlu^  exti'action  by  tabling  alone  can  not  be  brought  much  above 
fiO  to  70%.  Careful  tests  have  indicated  tliat  tlie  losses  here  occur  almost  entirely  in 
the  fines  that  are  apparently  in  suspension  in  the  pidp  and  as  dotation  results  have 
shown  that,  so  far  as  cinnabar  is  concerned,  it  c'an  be  successfully  applied  only  to  the 
fines,  no  doubt  a  total  extraction  of  over  90%  can  in  most  cases  be  economically 
obtained.  Other  sulphides,  notably  pyrite,  are  almost  always  present  in  cinnabar  ores, 
and  tliis  pyrite  can  be  concenti'ated  out  with  the  cinnabar,  proving  a  valuable  addition 
to  the  succeeding  furnace  operation  and  cutting  down  the  amount  of  fuel  necessary 
to  smelt  the  ore.  Concenti'ation  has  one  other  great  advantage,  which  is  that  it 
elimates  the  asphaltvun  products  and  other  carbonaceous  materials  that  are  nearly 
always  found  in  the  ores  and  are  among  the  chief  sources  of  difficulty  in  the  proper 
collection  of  the  mercury  after  smelting.  It  might  be  well  to  mention  here  that  all 
fli'e  methods  of  reducing  cinnabar  call  for  subseciuent  condensation  of  the  mercury 
\apors  and  that  any  hydroc;irbon  distillates  that  may  be  condensed  with  the  vapors 
add  greatly  to  the  difficulty  of  collecting  the  metallic  mercury. 

"Briefly,  such  concentrators  as  have  been  installed  recently  consist  of  rock 
crusliers,  ball  mills  and  various  types  of  tables.  Jigs  have  been  tried  in  one  place 
and  no  doubt  should  be  given  a  more  general  trial  elsewhere.  The  coarser  the  con- 
centrate that  can  be  made,  the  more  favorable  it  is  for  roasting  in  the  furnace,  and 
if  retorts  are  excepted,  none  of  the  present  furnaces  would  work  very  long  on  typical 
flotation  concentrates. 

*  il:  i,i  4;  *  *  * 

"A  thorough  knowledge  of  the  losses,  mechanical  and  metallurgical  conditions  leads 
one  to  forecast  that  the  future  will  either  bring  out  a  successful  wet  method  for 
leducing  mercui'ial  ores  or  will  develop  the  wet  concentration  of  these  ores  until  a 
saving  in  excess  of  9  0%  will  be  made  on  a  commercial  scale.  Furnacing  of  the  ores 
will  probably  always  be  the  cheapest  in  per  ton  costs  on  tonnages  greater  than 
2.5  per  day  and  on  ores  in  excess  of  1%  mercury  content.  The  losses  sustained  in 
treating  low-grade  ores  in  furnaces  will  in  all  probability  be  greater  than  that  of  wet 
concentration  plus  a  proper  retorting  of  the  concentrates. 

"Mines  Iiaving  large  investments  in  furnace  plants  will  continue  to  use  them  up  to 
capacity,  but  will  build  concentrating  plants  for  their  lowest-grade  ores,  mixing  the 
resulting  concentrates  with  the  ore  going  to  the  furnace.  The  low  per-ton  cost  of  a 
concentrating  plant  together  with  its  necessary  retorts  will  probably  preclude  the 
erection  of  more  large  furnaces,  although  in  the  case  of  the  installation  of  a  large 
concentrator  the  quantity  of  concentrates  oljtained  will  necessitate  the  construction  of 
some  type  of  furnace  with  greater  capacity  than  can  be  secured  from  retorts.  This 
will  bring  in  mechanical  furnaces  having  little  or  no  application  of  external  heat,  the 
concentrates  containing  sufficient  sulphui-  to  provide  their  own  fuel.  Such  a  condition 
would  be  ideal  for  the  distillation  of  mercury,  as  the  volume  of  furnace  gases  with 
attendant  vapor  loss  could  be  kept  down  to  a  minimum.  The  price  of  mercury  may 
influence  the  choice  of  process." 

The  ultimate  decision  between  a  straight  furnace  reduction,  or  con- 
centration and  roasting  of  concentrates  will  be  a  matter  of  compar- 
ative costs  coupled  with  comparative  extractions.  The  initial  install- 
ation of  a  Scott  fine-ore  furnace  unit  is  high  (including  condensers, 
etc.,  $1000  per  ton-day  capacity.  We  know  of  instances  where  the 
cost  has  been  materially  less  than  this  figure,  but  they  are  the  excep- 
tion rather  than  the  rule)  ;  the  extraction  is  ordinarily  low  (in  the 
majority  of  cases  probably  not  over  75%)  ;  the  cost  of  operation  is  low 
(50^  to  75^-  per  ton  for  large  units,  economically  managed,  though 
this  does  not  include  high-cost  repairs,  interest  or  depreciation  on  the 
high  initial  installation  capital).  A  table  concentration  plant  of  equal 
capacity  will  require  approximately  one-fifth  the  initial  capital 
expenditure,  and  a  correspondingly  lower  depreciation  charge;  prop- 
erly designed  and  operated,  it  should  give  25%  to  llO^f    higher  extrac- 


'Landers,    AV.    IT..    The    smelting   of    quicksilver    ores:   Eng.    &   Min.    .lour.,    vol.    102, 
pp.  630-6."?.*?,  Oct.   7,   i;>16. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  353 

tion ;  but  the  operating  cost,  on  account  of  finer  crusliing,  will  be  30% 
to  50%  higher.  An  alkaline-solution  plant  will  require  less  than  one- 
half  the  initial  capital  expenditure  of  a  furnace  plant  and  yield  prac- 
tically a  complete  extraction.  These  points  will  have  to  be  determined 
upon  for  each  individual  property. 

In  this  connection,  while  calling  attention  to  the  subject  of  capital 
expenditure,  it  is  apropros  to  state  that  the  items  of  amortization, 
depreciation  and  interest  are  too  often  omitted  from  consideration  in 
cost  data.  Their  inclusion  is  vital  in  a  consideration  of  the  proper 
plant  and  treatment  for  a  quicksilver  ore. 

The  writer  is  of  the  opinion  that  either  concentration  or  the  alkaline 
sulphide  solution  method  can  be  economically  adopted  at  some  quick- 
silver properties,  depending  on  the  nature  of  the  ore  and  gangue  asso- 
ciations; but  it  does  not  appear  that  they  are  likely  to  any  consider- 
able extent  to  displace  the  Scott  furnace.  Concentration  may  also 
serve  as  an  adjunct  to  some  existing  furnace  plants,  to  increase  their 
capacity,  as  is  at  present  being  done  at  New  Idria. 


23—38540 


354  CALIFORNIA  STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


PART  III. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY  ON  QUICKSILVER. 

Pai-t  A:  re  assays,  chemistry,  ore-dressing,  metallurgy,  etc.  Inolucl- 
ing  some  references  relative  to  ore-clressing  of  other  niet^ils. 
because  of  their  value  for  comparative  purposes. 

Aeegg's  Handbuth  der  Anorganisclien  Chemie,  vol.   II,   Pt.   2,   p.   632,   1908.   re  solution 

by  Na„S. 
Adams.    W.    J.,    Floiirins-Quicksilver    in    pan    amalgamation.     An    explanation    of    the 

causes  of  the  flouring-  of  quicksilver.     Serial,  1st  part,  900  w.     Min.  &  Sei.  Press, 

Nov.  5.  1904. 
Agricola,  Georgius,  De  natura  fossilium,  1546.  liber  VIII. 

De    re   metallica,    first   Latin    edition    of    1556,    translated    by    H.    C.    Hoover   & 

L.  H.  Hoover,  1912,  pp.  2,  110,  247  (re  assays),  426-432  (re  furnaces  and  distilla- 
tion methods;  illustrated). 

Allen,  E.  T.  &  Crenshaw,  J.  L.,  The  sulphides  of  zinc,  cadmium,  and  mercury  ;  their 
crystalline  forms  and  genetic  conditions;  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  vol.  34,  pp.  341-396, 
Oct.,   1912.      Give  details  of  laboratory  research  work  on  these  sulphides. 

Baker,  A.  L.,  in  Chem.  News,  vol.  42,  p.  196.  1880,  re  preparation  of  mercury 
antimonial  sulphide. 

Ball,  L.  C,  Mercury  in  Queensland:  Queensland  Gov.  Min.  Jour.,  Dec.  15,  1914; 
re   occurrence   and   treatment.      Maps.      6000   w. 

Barfoed,  C.  T.,  re  behavior  of  mercuric  sulphide  to  sodium  sulpliide ;  Jour,  prakt. 
Chemie,  vol.  93,   1S64,  p.  230. 

Baverstock,  R.  S.,  Quicksilver :  Min.  and  Sci.  Press,  vol.  84,  1902,  p.  4.  Contains 
general  notes  on  tlie  occurrence  and  treatment  of  quicksilver  ores,  with  descrip- 
tions of  California  deposits. 

Becker,  G.  F.,  On  the  solution  and  precipitation  of  cinnabar  and  other  ores:  a  digest 
of  Chapter  XV  of  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Mon.  XIII,  which  appeared  in  Am.  Jour.  Sci., 
3d  series,  vol.  33,  p.   199,  1887. 

Geology   of   the   quicksilver    deposits   of   the    Pacific    Slope :    'Slon.    U.    S.    Geol. 

Survey,  vol.  13,  1888;  Abstracts,  Am.  Geology,  vol.  5.  pp.  17  8-180  ;  Am.  Naturalist, 
vol.  24,  pp.  850-851  ;  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  3d  ser.  vol.  39,  pp.  68-69  ;  Eng.  and  Min.  Jour., 
vol.   49,  pp.   137-138. 

,    Quicksilver    ore    deposits:    U.    S.    Geol.    Surv.,    Min.    Re.s.    of    U.    S.    for    1892, 

pp.  136-162,  1893. 

in  Am.  Jour.  Sci..  vol.  31,  p.  120,  1886;  re  formation  of  cinnabar  and  mettacin- 


nabarite  from  solutions. 

Bertheldt,  Introduction  a  1  etude  de  la  chimie  ancienne,  1889,  p.  4  0  et  passim, 
re  ancients'   knowledge  of  amalgams  and  fire-gilding. 

Binder,  G.  A.,  in  Min.  pet.  Mitt.,  vol.  12,  p.  332,  1892.  Re  solubility  of  cinnabar  in 
distilled  water. 

Black's  Supreme  Court  Reporter,  vol.  2  :  The  United  States  vs.  Andreas  Castillero, 
before  the  Supreme  Court,  December  term,  1862.  The  testimony  gives  history  of 
quicksilver  discovery  and  early  development  in  California,  with  particular  refer- 
ence to  New  Almaden. 

Booth.  F.  J.,  The  reduction  of  quicksilver  ore:  Min.  and  Sci.  Press,  Nov.  10,  1906. 

Boutwell,  J.  M.  Quicksilver:  Mineral  Resources  U.  S.  for  1906,  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey, 
1907,  pp.   491-49!t. 

Bradley,  Walter  W.  Quicksilver  reduction  at  New  Almaden,  Cal.  :  Min.  &  Sci. 
Press,  vol.   87,  p.   201,   Sept.   26.   1903.      Short  description  of  furnace  practice. 

•   Mines   and  mineral    resoiu'ces   of   the   comities   of   Colusa.   Glenn.    I.iake,    Marin, 

Napa,  Solano,  Sononi.a,  Yolo;  chapters  of  .State  Mineialogist's  report,  biennial 
period,  1913-1914,  .July,  1915.  Includes  descriptions  of  quicksilver  mines  and 
metallurgical  pr.actice.  These  sections,  also  F'resno,  Madera,  Kings  counties, 
included  in  Report  XIV,  1916. 

et  al.  authors — Mines  and  mineral  resources  of  the  counties  of  ^Monterey,   San 


Benito,  San  Lviis  Obispo,  Santa  Barbara,  Ventura:  chapters  of  State  Mineral- 
ogist's report,  biennial  period  1915-1916,  Dec.  1916.  Includes  descriptions  of 
quicksilver  mines  and  metallurgical  practice.  These  sections  included  in  Report 
XV,   1917,    (in  i)ress). 

Brand,  Dammer.     Chem.   Technologie,  vol.   II,   p.  41.     Re  electrolyis  of  cinnabar. 

Brelich,  Henry.  Chinese  methods  of  mining  quicksilver.  Describes  the  methods 
in  the  Wan  Shen  Chang  mines,  showing  how  they  make  a  living  by  mining  low 
grade  ore  in  the  most  anliiiualed  way,  and  .smelling  it  with  the  most  primitive 
appliances.  Ills.  Serial,  1st  part,  2500  w.  Min.  Jour.  May  2  7,  1905.  Also  in 
Trans.  Inst.  Min.  &  Mel.,  vol.  XIV,  pp.  483-496,   1905. 

Native   methods   of   mining  and   smelting   quicksilver   ore    in    Kweichow,    China. 

Notes  relating  to  tlie  wages,  prices,  e.xcliange,  coinage,  laws,  and  customs  used 
by  the  natives  in  (luicksilver  mining.      4  800  w.      Cassier's  Mag.   Jime,   1907. 

Brown,  C.  F.,  Oil-buining  mercury  retort  furnace  and  condenser:  Min.  Reporter, 
April  18,  1907. 

Brunner,  C,  re  the  double  soluble  salt  HgS.ICS -f  5H..O :  PoggendoriT,  Annahn, 
vol.   15,  p.   593    (1829), 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  355 

California  State  J^Iining  Bureau,  Report  of  State  Mineralogist,  vol.   I\".  p.  332,   1884. 
re  quitksilver  assay. 

vol.  Vni,   pp.    541-542,   1888.      Re  New  Almaden  furnaces. 

vol.X,  pp.   ;t20-!i29,   ISnO.      Reprint   of  article   l).v  J.   B.   Randul   in    lllli   Census 

Report,  re  statistics,  wages,  etc.,  in  quicksilver  plants. 

vol.  XII.  pp.   35S-372,   1884.      Describes  mines  and  reduction  eciuijiments. 

vol.  XITI,  pp.  594-604.   1896.      Describes  mines  and  reduction  equipments. 

vol.   XIV,   pp.    176,    189-191,    202,    203,   226-240,    283-292,    311-312,    342-351,   369, 

456-464.    528-530,   923-924.    1916.      Describes  mines  and  reduction   equipments. 

Bulletin    27 — Quicksilver    resources    of    California,    by    Wni.    Forstner,    1903. 


Describes  mines,  geology,  metallurgy.      IIlus. 
Carey,  El.mer  E.      Principles  of  electrolytic  amalgamation  :   Min.  World,  vol.  32,  1910, 

pp.   896-897,   U  p. 
Castek,    Fraxz,    Die   Bestimniun.g   und    Verminderung   der   Verluste   beim    Queoksilber 

hiittenwesen.      (The  determination  and   reduction   of  losses  in   quicksilver   furnace 

practice)  :   Berg-   und    Hiittenmannisches    Jahrbuch     (Loebner    Jahrbuch),    LiV'IlI 

Band,  Wien,   1910.     Describes  practice  at  Idria,   Austria. 
Chism,    Richard    E.     A    new    assay    for    mercury.      Shows    the    uncertainty    of    some 

methods,  the  drawbacks  of  the  gold  method,   and  describes  the  use  of  silver  for 

receiving  the  mercury.      2500  w.  Am.  Inst,  of  M.  E.,  Oct.   1898. 
Christy.  S.   B.,  Quicksilver  reduction  at  New  Almaden,   Trans.   Am.   Inst.   Min.   Eng., 

XIII,   pp.   547-5S4,   18S4.      Describes  ores  and  furnaces,   and  furnace  practice. 
■  Quicksilver  condensation  at   New  Almaden,   Trans.   Am.   Inst.   Min.    Eng.   XIV, 

206-264,    1SS5.      Describes  condensers   and  practice;   also   details  experiments  and 

analyses  made. 

On    the   genesis   of   cinnabar   deposits:   Am.    Jour.    Sci.    3d    ser.,    vol.    17,    1879, 

pp.   453-4  63. 

•  Mineral     Resources    U.     S.     for     1SS3     and     1884,     U.     S.     Geol.     Surv,     18  85, 

pp.   503-534.      Contains  quicksilver  reduction  at  New  Almaden. 

The   Imperial   quicksilver   works   at   Idria,    Krain.      Translation   of   a   report  by 

M.  A'.   Lipoid,  et  al..   issued  bv  the  management  in  celebration  of  the  300th  anni- 
versary.     Publ.   by  J.   B.   Randol,   1884. 

The    mines    and    practices    at    Almaden,    Spain.      Translation    of    a    paper    by 


M.  Kuss.  in  Annales  des  Mines,  1878.      PubL  by  Dewey  &  Co.,  San  Francisco,  1879. 
Clarke,  F.  W..  Data  of  Geochemistry:  LT.  S.  G.   S.,  Bull.   616,  pp.   664-669,  1916. 
Collins,  H.    F.,   Quicksilver  mining  in   the   district  of   Guadalcazar,    San  Luis   PotosI, 

Mexico.      Trans.    Inst.    Min.    &   Met.,   vol.    IV,   pp.    121-15  0,    156,    1895.      Also   gives 

metallurgical   data. 
Crookes    &    RoHRiG,    Practical    treatise    on    metallurgy,    1868,    pp.    504-531.     Contains 

section  on  mercury. 
De   Kalb,  Courtenay.     Guadalupe  quicksilver  works:   Min.   and   Sci.   Press,   vol.    100, 

1910.  pp.   446-447,   2  p. 
Dexnis,  Clifford  G.,  :Modern  quicksilver  reduction:  Min.  and  Sci.  Press,  vol.  99,  1909, 

p.   761. 
Dennis.  "V\'illiam  B..  Shoi-tening  the  roasting  period  for  mercury  ores:  Eng.  and  Mm. 

Jour.,  vol.  88.  1909,  p.  112. 
DE    RivERO,    M.    M.,    Memoria    sobre    el    rico    mineral    de    azogue    de    Huancavelica; 

Lima,  1848.  ,,.       „^     ,^ 

DiNSMORE,  Charles  A.     Quicksilver  deposits  of  Brewster  County,   Tex.  :   Mm.    U  orld, 

vol.  31,  pp.  877-878,  6  figs.,  Oct.  30,  1909.      Includes  description  of  plants. 
DiTTE,    A.,    in    Compt.    Rend.,    vol.    98,    1884,    pp.    1271,    1380.      re    transformation    of 

vermilion  to  crystalline  cinnabar.  . 

DOELTER,  C,  in  Zeitschr,  Kryst.  Min.,  vol.   11,  p.   33,  1S86.     re  formation  of  cinnabar 

bv  action   of  HoS  on  mercury. 
DuscHAK,  L.  H..  &  SCHUETTE,  C.  N.,  Condensing  quicksilver  from  furnace  gases:  Mm. 

&  Sci.  Press,  vol.   117.  pp.  315-323,  Sept.   7,  191S. 
Eddy,  L.    H.,   Jigs   on   a   California   dredge:   Eng.   &   Mm.   Jour.,   vol.    101,   pp.    20i-208, 

Jan.  29,  1916.      Describes  use  of  Neill  jig  on  gold  dredges. 
Egleston,   T.,   Metallurgy   of  silver,   gold  and   mercury   in   the  United   States,   vol.    11, 

1890;  re  mercury,  pp.   799-801;  re  concentration  pp,   804,   806.     Detailed  descrip- 
tions of  furnaces.  ,     .,.    ,^    _    „_    „„„ 

The  method  of  collecting  flue-dust  at  Ems,  Trans.  A.  I.  M.  E.  XI    3(9. 

,  Treatment   of   mercury   in   North   California.     Reprinted   from     Engineering, 

London,   1880.      24  pages  and  2  plates.  ,     iao 

Eng.    &    MiN.    Jour;    Oceanic    quicksilver    mill:  Editorial    Correspondence,    vol.    10-, 

p    512    Sept.   16.   1916.      Describes  concentration  mill,  also  wooden  condensers. 
EscosuRA,  L.  de  la  &  de  Botella,  F.  Histoire  de  la  Metallurgie  du  Mercure  en  Espagne, 

1878.      Abstracted  in  "Annales  des  Mines,"  7  Serie,  t.  15,  p.  524,  18(9,  by  M.  K.u_ss, 
EscosuRA,  L.   de  la,   in  Historia  del  Tratamiento  Metalurglco  del  Azogue  en  Espana, 

jMadrid,   1878. 
F.AWCETT,  W.,   A  quicksilver  furnace:   Am.   Inventor,  November.   190d.  ^ 

Feust,  Arthur.      Modern  quicksilver  reduction:  Min.  and  Sci.  Press,  vol.  99,  p.    /9o. 
Flotation   Process,  The,    compiled   and  edited   by  T.   A.   Richard  ;   publ.    Mm.   &   Sci. 

Press,    1916.     Contains    articles    theoretical    and    practical    on    many    phases    of 

flotation,   by  various  authors.  ■      ^     ^ 

Forstner,  William.     The  quicksilver  resources   of  California:   California  State   Mm 

Bur.,    Bull.   No.    27,    1903.     Reprinted,    1908.     Includes   chapters  on  metallurgy  of 

quicksilver,    geologj-    of    quicksilver    belt    in     State,     genesis    of    quicksilver    ore 

deposits,  mines. 
FouQufi  &  Levy  :   Synthese  des  mineraux  et  des  roches,  p.  313. 
FuRMAN's   Manual   of   Practical    As.saying.    1893,    p.    133,   gives   mercury   as.says 
Gandolfi,  Les  mines  et  usines  d'Almaden  :   Ren.  Univ.  des  Mines  et  de  la  Metall.,  1889. 

Describes  practices  at  Almaden,  Spain.  . 

Geary,  J.   W..   A   rotary  furnace  for  roasting  quicksilver  ores:   Mm.   and    Sci.    Press, 

Jan.   14,   1905. 

Condensation   of  quicksilver  vapors:    California  Jour.   Tech.,    190a;    also   Mm. 

Reporter,  Apr.  19,  1906. 


356  CALIFORNIA   STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 

Gmei.in-Kraut,  re  alkalint'  and  mi'icniic  sulphides:   Handbuch  der  Clieinie,  Anorgan- 

ische  Chemie,  vol.  :i,  p.   756. 
GOODALE,   C.   W..   and    Klepin'ger.   J.    U..    The   Great    Falls    flue   system    and   chimney : 

Trans.   Am.  Inst.   Min.   Ens.,   vol.    16,  p.   583,   1913.      Describes  experiments  on   flue 

system.s,  some  items  of  which  have  an  interesting  bearing  on  quicksilver  condenser 

problems. 
Goodyear,    "W.    A.,    report   on   an    examination    of   the   quiek.silvcr   mines   of   Califoi-nia 

(May,   1871)  :  Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.  (Whitney),  Geology  vol.  II.  Appendix,  pp.  91-135, 

1882*.      Describes  mines,   geology,   and   furnace   practices.      Illiis. 
Griffiths,  Andre  P.     The  Ohaeawai  quicksilver  deposits    (N.   Z.).     Read  before  the 

N.    Z.    Inst,    of   Min.    Eng.      Results   of   prospecting  and   mining   operations,    giving 

localitv    geological    features,    deposits,    their   origin   and   formation   and   describing 

the  furnaces.      4400  w.  N.  Z.  Mines  Record,  Mar.   16,  1S99. 
GuiLETT,    M.    L.,   in   Revista   Minera  y   Metallurgica,   vol.    63,   pp.    101,   143,   et  al.    1912. 

Descrilies  general  furnace  practice  ;  and  gives  temperatures  in  the  Cermak-Spirek 

furnace. 
Halse.    Edward.    The   quicksilver   mine    and    reduction    works    at    Huitzuco,    Guerrero, 

Mexico:   Trans.   North  of  Eng.   Inst,   of  Min.   and  Mech.   Eng.,  vol.   45,   pt.   1,   1.S95, 

pp.     72-SS.      Describes    the    geologic    features    of    tlie    region,    the    character    and 

occurrence  of  the  ore,  and  discusses  its  origin. 
Hamilton,   E.    M.,    Flotation    for   cinnabar,    Min.   &   feci.    Press,   p.    541,   Apr.    15,    1916, 

under   "Discussion." 
Hanks,  H.  G.,   Cal.   State  Min.   Bur.,   Report  IV,  pp.   332,  et  al.,   re  quicksilver,  assay 

and  metallurgy. 
Heberlein,  C.  a..  The  mining  and  reduction  of  quicksilver  ore  at  the  Oceanic  Mine, 

Cambria,    Cal.,    Bull.    Am.    Inst.    Min.    Eng.,    Feb.,    1915.    pp.    497-504;    also   Trans. 

vol.  LI,  pp.   110-119.      lUus. 
Helmacher,  R.,  The  quicksilver  reduction  works  at  Idria,  Austria:  Min.  Ind.,  vol.  IV, 

pp.    531-538,    1895.      Includes    also    a    short    description    of    the    dry    ore-dressing 

methods  practiced. 
Hilleerand.  W.   F.   &  Schaller,  AV.   T.,  U.   S.   G.   S.     Bull.   405,  p.   37.   re  methods  of 

analvsis  for  Hg. 
Hoover,  H.   C.  and  L.  H.,   translation  of  Agricola's  de  re  metaUica.  1556,   pp.   2,   110, 

247,   354.   426-432,   1912.      Illus. 
Idria,   Austria  mines  :  Die  K.   K.   Quecksilberwerk  zu   Idria  in   Krain.     Translated  by 

S.  B.  Christv.  1884,  publ.  by  J.  B.  Randol,  San  Francisco. 
Innes.  Murray,  California  quicksilver:  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.,  vol.   101.  p.  6S,  Jan  8,  1916. 

Discusses  metallurgy,  also  economic  conditions. 
Ippen,  J.  A.,   in  Min.  pet.  Mitt.,  vol.    14,  p.   114,    1894.      Re  transformation  of  black  to 

red  sulphide  of  mercury. 
James,  George  A.,  The  James  apparatus  for  quicksilver  determination:  Eng.  and  Min. 

Jour.,  vol.   90,  1910.  p.   SOO;  also  Min.  &  Sci.   Press,  vol.   93,  p.   606,  Nov.   17,   1906. 
Janin,    Louis,    Jr.,    Mining   and    metallurgy   of   quicksilver    in    California :   Report    for 

1873    on    mineral    resources    of    the    States    and    Territories    west    of    the    Rocky 

Mountains,    bv    R.    W.    Raymond,    special    commissioner,    Washington,     1874,    pp. 

379-407. 
Janda.   Y..    Rohstupp   vom    Schuttofen   Nr.    IIL    der    k.    k.     Quecksilberhatte    in    Idria. 

(re    soot    formation    in    a    fine-ore    furnace    at    Idria,    Austria) — Oesterreichische 

Zeitschrift  fur  Berg-  und.  Hiittenwesen,  vol.   157,  pp.  637  et  seq.,  Oct.   16,   1909. 
JORY,  J.   H.,   New  method  of  quicksilver  extraction.      Describes  the  method  and  states 

its   advantages.      The   most   essential    part    of   the   new   method   is    the   electrolytic 

sluice.      1500  w.  Min.  &  Sci.  Press.      Dec.  28,   1901. 
Kerl,  B.,   Muspratt's   Chemie.   Art.   Quicksilver.      Contains   description   of  manufacture 

of  vermilion  in  the  dry  way  by  the  ancients. 
KiRCHHOFF.  G.  S.  C,  in  Allg.  Jour,  der  Chemie,  Scherer,  vol.   2,  p.   290,   1799    (?).     re 

preparation  of  vermilion  in  the  wet  way. 
Knox,  J.,    in   Trans.    Faraday   Soc,  vol.    4,   p.    29,    1908,    re  alkaline   sulphide  mercury 

salts. 
KONINCK,  L.  L.  de,  in  Annales  Soc.  geol.  P.elgicjue,  vol.  IS,  p.  XXV,  1891.      re  solubility 

of  mercuric  sulphide  in  alkaline  sulphide  solutions. 
Kuss,   M.    H.,    "Sur   les  Mines   et   Usines   d'    Almaden,"    in    Annales   des   Mines,    1878, 

7  Serie  Men.  t.  13,  pp.   39,  et  al.     Translated  by  S.  B.  Christy,  publ.  by  Dewey  & 

Co.,   San  Francisco,   1879. 
Landers.    W.    H.,    Quicksilver    mining    in    California,    Min.    &    Sci.    Press,    vol.    112, 

pp.    282-284,    Feb.    19,    1916.      Discusses    lack    of    advancement    in    metallurgy    of 

mercury  ;   describes  furnace  practices  and  products. 
The  .smelting  of  mercury  ores:  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.,  vol.   102,  pp.  630-633,  Oct.  7, 

1916.      Discus.scs    metallurgy,    losses,    sampling   products,    and    concentrates. 
Lang.  Herbert,  Quicksilver  reduction.  Min.   &  Sci.   Press,   pp.   707-714,   May   13,   1916. 

Discusses  ores,  assays,  concentration,  etc.,   in  much  detail. 
Lewis,   R.    S.,    The   dispo.sal   of    flotation    products:    Min.    &    Sci.    Press,    vol.    114,    pp. 

473-484,   Apr.    7,    1917.     Describes   the   handling   of   various   flotation   products    in 

practice  at  a  number  of  plants  in  the  western  U^nited  States. 
Liebenow,  C.  The  constitution  of  mercury   (Ueber  die  Konstitution  des  Quecksilbers). 

A    paper    before    the    Electrochemical    Society    .showing    mercury    to    be    composed 

of  molecules  of  different  atomic  constitution.      3500  w.  Zeitschr.  f.  Elektrochemie- 
May  20,  1898.  _         ,   ..       , 

LiPOLD,  M.  v.,  et  al..  The  Imperial  quicksilver  works  at  Idria,  Ivram.     Translation  by 

S.   B.   Christy   of  a  report   issued  by   the  management  in  celebration  of  the  300th 

anniversary.      Pul»l.  bv  J.   B.   Randol,   1884. 
Low,  A.  H.,  Technical  Methods  of  Ore  Analysis.  1905,  pp.  156-158. 
Lunge,    G..    &   Keane,   C.   A.,   Technical    Melliods   of   Chemical   Analysis,   vol   II,   pt.    I, 

pp.  152-153. 
Mactear.  James,  Mining  and  metallurgy  of  quicksilver  in  Mexico.     Trans.  Inst.  Min.  & 
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QUICKSILVER  RESOURCES.  357 

McDermott,  ^VALTKR.   Notes   on   the  concentration   of  finely   crushed  ores:    Min.    Ind., 

vol.    IX,    p.    778,    1901.      Mention.s    cinnabar    in    a    list    of    sulphides    which    seem 

adapted  to  treatment  by  the  Klmore  pioccss. 
MfiHU,   M.    C.,   re   tlie   soluble,   crystalline   mercury-sodium   sulphide :    Russian   Jour,    of 

Pharm.,    reported  in   Jahresbericlit   der  Cliemie,    1876,   ji.    282. 
Mineral   Indstry,    re   practice   at   Monte   Amiata,    Italy:    vol.    VI,   pp.    568-.'jS2,    1898; 

VII,    p.    580,    1899;    vol.    VIII,   pp.    493-494,    1900:    vol.    IX,    p.    567,    1901;    vol.    X, 

pp.   559-561,   1902. 

Treatment  of  quicksilver  ores  in  the  Asturias,  Spain.  Vol.  IV.      Describes,  with 

illustrations,  the  several  types  of  furnaces  employed  and  the  method  of  operating 
each.      3000   W.   Eng.   &   Min.    .Jour.,    Aug.    15.    1896. 

Mining  and  Engineering  Review,  Metallurgy  of  ciuicksilver,  Aug.  30,   1905. 

Mining  and  Scientific  Press,  Tlie  use  and  care  of  mercur.v.       Aug.  17,  1907.     2500  w. 

Explains    some    of    the    causes    of   the    llouring   and    sickening    of    ciuicksilver    and 

various  methods  of  remedying  the  evil. 

Western  American  Metallurgy,  vol.    114,  pp.   303-307,  Mar.   3,   1917.      Discusses 

ore-dressing  and  metallurgical  methods,  some  of  whicli  may  have  application  to 
quicksilver.  The  paragraphs  on  primary  and  secondary  grinding  (pp.  304,  305) 
are  of  especial  interest. 

,   re  flotation  of  cinnabar.     Editorial,  vol.   109,  p.   585,  Oct.   17,  1914. 

,    Flotation    at    Humboldt,    Arizona:    vol.    112,    p.    41,    Jan.    8,    1916.      Gives   cost 

data.      Precis  of  an  article  appearing  in  Metall.  &  Chem.  Eng.,  Dec.  1,  1915. 
,  re    flotation    oils,    vol.     112,    pp.    869-870,    June    10,    1916;    also,    pp.    598-601, 

Apr.   22.    1916. 

re  quicksilver  market,  vol.   113,  p.   137,  July  22,   1916. 

re  Allis-Chalmers  ball  granulator  :  p.   24,   adv.,   Oct.   13,  1917. 

•  re  Senn  pan  concentrator;   p.   24,   adv.,   Oct.    13,    1917. 

,   Rotary  roaster  for  quicksilver  ores:   vol.    90,   p.    22,  Jan.    14,   1905.      Describes 

use  of  a  White-Howell  roaster  at  the  Socrates  mine. 

Discussion  of  metallurgy  of  quicksilver  at  meeting  of  San  Francisco   Section 


of  A.  I.  M.  E.,  vol.  116,  pp.  465,  478,  April  6,  1918. 
Mining  Industry^  vol.   1  to  XXV,  inc.,   1892  to  1916  inc.     Contains  articles,  annually 

re  quicksilver  industry  and  mine  developments. 
Mining    Reporter^    The    reduction    of    quicksilver.     From    advance    sheets    from    Min. 

Res.  of  U.  S.      Explains  the  methods  of  extraction  in  use.      1500  w.  Aug.   30,  1906. 
Mitchell-Roeerts,   J.    F.,    re    use    of    caustic    soda    in    flotation :    Min.    &    Sci.    Press, 

vol.  114,  p.  362,  Mar.  17,   1917. 
Mulholland,    C.    a..    Treatment   of    low '  grade    cinnabar    ores :    Australian    Mg.    Std., 

June  8,  1911,  pp.  565,  et  seci.  re  solution  in  Na,S  and  precipitation  by  zinc  liydrate. 
,  Wet  method  of  mercury  extraction:  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.   Ill,  p.  346,  Sept.  4, 

1915.      Under  discussion   in   reply   to  Thornhill  re  equations. 

The    treatment    of   low-grade    cinnabar    ores :    Min.    and    Eng.    World,    Aug.    5, 


1911,  pp.  241-242.      (Abstract  from  Australian  Mining  Standard  of  June  8,  1911.) 
MtJLLER,   H.    E.,   Der   Quecksilberbergbau    in   Toskana.    Gliickauf,    1912 — also    discussed 

in    besterreichische    Zeitschrift    fiir    Berg-    und    Hiittenwesen,    vol.    60,    1912,    pp. 

315-316.      Describes  practices  at  Italian  ciuicksilver  mines. 
NoRTHEY,  G.  v..  Concentration  of  cinnabar  ores:  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.,  vol.  96,  pp.  783-784 

Oct.  25,   1913.      Describes  concentration  at  Manzanita  Mine,  Colusa  Co.,  Cal. 
Ohly,    Dr.    J.,    The    metallurgy    of    mercurv.     General    review.     1500    w.    Min.    Rept. 

Aug.  11,  1904. 
Parsons,  C.  S.,  re  use  of  caustic  soda  in  flotation:  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  114,  p.  362, 

Mar.   17,  1917. 
Phillips,    William    B.    Condition    of    the    ciuicksilver    industry    in    Texas :    Eng.    and 

Min.  Jour.  vol.   88,  p.   1022-1024,  November  20,   1909. 
Rainer,  Roland  Sterner — ,  The  present  status  of  quicksilver  metallurgy  in  Europe : 

Oestr.   Zeitsc.    Berg-   und   Hiittenwesen,   Sept.    26,    1914. 
Ralston,   O.   C.   &  Allen,   Glenn  L.,   Testing  ores  for  flotation  process :   Min.   &  Sci. 

Press,  vol.    112,   serial,  pp.   8-13,   44-49,   Jan.   1  and  8,   1916. 
Randol,  J.  B.,  Report  of  mineral  industries  of  the  United  States  :  Eleventh  U.  S.  Census 

Report,    1890.      Contains   special    report    on    quicksilver.      Reprinted   in    Report    X, 

Cal.   State  Min.  Bur.,   1890,  pp.   920-929. 
,   California    Quicksilver.      An    anonymous    pamphlet,    privately    publislied,    but 

apparently  compiled  by  Randol,  giving  comparative  data  and  costs  between  Cali- 

fornian  and  European  properties,  San  Francisco,   1890.      13  pages. 
Raymond,   R.  W.,   Min.   Res.   W.   of  Rocky  Mtns.,   1874,   pp.    379-407,   describes  quick- 
silver metallurgical  practice.      In  volume  for  1875,  pp.  13-14,  173-177,  lists  furnace 

equipments   at   the   quicksilver   mines    of   California ;   also   describes   some   of    the 

plants. 
Richards,  R.   H.,   Ore  Dressing,  vol.   I,  p.   481,    1905;   vol.   II,   p.    1074,   1905;   vol.   IV, 

p.   1919,   1909. 
RiCKARD,  T.  A.,  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  Ill,  p.  384  re  flotation. 
Rising,   W.   B.   &   Lenher,  Victor,   An  'electrolytic   method   for   the   determination    of 

mercury  in  cinnabar.     The  cinnabar  is  dissolved  in  hydrobromic  acid,  neutralized 

with   caustic   potash,   pure  KCN   added   in   excess   to   dissolve   precipitate,   and   the 

metallic    mercury    deposited    on    platinum    bv    a    weak    electric    current.     400    w. 

Jour.  Am.  Chem.  Soc.  Jan.,   1896. 
ROLLAND,  M.   G.,  La  Metallurgie  du   Mercure  en   Californie :   Societe  d'   encouragement, 

etc.,   1878,  pp.    85,  et  al.      Describes  quicksilver  metallurgj'  in  California. 
Rosenlecher,  R.,  Description   of  the  mctliod  of  dressing  quicksilver  ores   in   Tuscany 

by  use  of  trommel,  hand-jig,  hand-picking  and  tie:  Berg.  u.   Hiitt,  Zeit.,  vol.   LIV, 

p.   373,   1895. 
Sand,  Henry  J.   S.,  Electro  determination   of  mercury  and  its  separation  from  silver. 

Abs.  of  a  paper  from  Jour.  Chem.  Soc.  London.     Describes  experimental  investi- 
gations.     1000  w.  Min.   Rept.   Apr.   25,   1907. 


358  CAI-IKOKXIA    STATK    :\IINING  BUREAU. 

SCHNABEL    &    Louis,    Handbook    of    Metallurgy,    vol.    II,    2d    ed..    pp.     1.30-441,    1907. 

Describe  properties  and  metalUirg\-  of  mercurv. 
SCHKAUF,    A.,    in    .Talirl).      K.-k.    seol.    Rciclianstalt,    vol.    41.    pp.    .38.3,    396,    1892.      re 

theory  of  ore  depo.sition  at  Idria,  Austria  ;  also  gives  man.v  citations  of  literature 

I'elative  to  mercury. 
Scott,    Robert,   Modern    quicksilver   reduction:     Min.    and    Sci.    Press,   vol.    100,    1910, 

p.  164,  J  p. 
Seamon,   W\    a.,    a   volumetric   method   for   the   determination    of   mercury:    Eng.    and 

Min.  Jour.,  vol.  87,  1909,  p.  1047. 
Sharwood,  "W.   J.,   Tlie  determination   of  mei'ciu\v  in  cyanide  solution  and  precipitate: 

Min.  &  Sci.   Press,  vol.   Ill,  p.   6(i3,   Oct.   30,   191.5.      Describes  mercury  assays. 
SiEVEKiNG,    re    a    wet    method    of    treating    cinnabar    with    cuprous    chloride:    Oestrr. 

Zeitschr.   1876,   No.   2;  Berg-  u.  Hiittenm.  Ztz.   1876,  p.   161. 
Simons,  Theodore,  The  concentrator  of  the  Timber  Butte  Milling  Co.,  Butte,   Mont. : 

Am.   Inst.   Min.   Kn.g.,   Bull.    Sept.    1915,   pp.    1295-1316.      Gives  also   flotation   costs. 
Spirek,  ViNrENZio,  The  mercury  mining  district   of   Monte  Amiata,   Italy.      Gives   the 

location  and  describes  the  deposits,  method  of  working  production,  treatment,  etc. 

Illus.  5000  w.  Min.  Mag.    (N.Y.)    Apr.   i:i06. 
,    The    quick.silver    industry    of    Italy:    Mineral    Industry,    vol.    VI,    pp.    568-582, 

1898,      Describes    the    Cermak-Spirek    furnaces    and    condensers    in    use    at    Monte 

Amiata  ;  and  gives  cost  data,  percentage  of  extraction,  and  other  valuable  details. 

Illus. 

Notes  on  quicksilver  industry  in  Italy:  Mineral  Industry  vol.  VII,  p.  580,  1S99  ; 


vol.  VIII,  pp.   493-494,   1900  ;  vol.  IX,  p.  567,   1901  ;   vol.  X,  pp.   559-561,   1902. 
Sterner-Rainer,    Roland,    The   pi-esent    status   of   ciuicksilver   metallurgy    in    Europe: 

Oestr.   Zeitsc.   Berg-  und  Htittenwesen,   Sept.    2  6,    1914. 
Stovai.l,  D.   H.,  Quicksilver  extraction:  Los  Angeles  Min.  Jour.,  Aug.   12,    1905. 
Strauss,  Lester  W.  Modern  quicksilver  reduction:  Min.  and  Sci.  Press,  vol.   100,  1910, 

p.   431,    h    p. 
Sweetland,  E.  J.,  Quicksilver  recovei-ed  in  the  cyanide  process.     Considers  the  manner 

in  which  it  enters  into  the  tailings,  and  the  recovery.      600  w.  Min.  &  Sci.  Press, 

May  21,   1904. 
Symington,   R.    B.,   Present   practice   in   the   metallurgy   of  quicksilver   in   California : 

Mineral  Industry,  vol.  7,  New  York,  1899. 
Thornhill,   E.    B.,   Wet  method   of  mercury   extraction:   Min.   &   Sci.    Press,   Vol.    110, 

pp.   873-874,   1915.      re  Mulholland's  method,  and  method  at  Cobalt. 

Recovery    of    mercury    from    amalgamation    tailing:    Am.    Inst      Min.     Enj 


'»•> 


Bull.    104.  pp.   1653-1657,   1915.      Also  in  Alin.   &  Sci.   Press,  A^ol.   Ill,  pp.   211-212 

1915. 
Thorpe,  T.  E.,  A  dictionary  of  applied  chemistry;  vol.  2,  pp.  555-571,  1898.     Describes 

ores   of    mercury    and   methods   of   extraction  ;    and    gives    properties   and    various 

compounds  of  this   metal. 
Turner,    H.    W.,    Modern   quicksilver   reduction :    Min.    and    Sci.    Press,   vol.    100,    1910, 

p.  431,   I  p. 
Wagner,    R.,    re    solubilitv    of    mercuric    sulphide    in    barium    sulphide :    Jour.    Pi-akt. 

Chemie,  vol.   98,   1S66,  p.   23. 
,    re    a    wet    method    of    extracting    mercui-y,    using    bromine    water:     Dingier, 

vol.  CCXVIII,  p.  254;  Chem.  Centralblatt,  1878,  p.  711. 
Weber,    Dr.    Rheinhardt,    re    solution    of    HgS    in    alkaline    sulphides :    Poggendorff, 

Annalen,   4th  series,  vol.   7,   1-56,  p.   76. 
Weinschenk,   E.,    in   Zeitschr.    Kryst.    Min.,    vol.    17,    p.    498,    1890.    re   preparation    of 

cinnabar  artificially. 
Whitney,   J.   D.,   The  Coast  Ranges:   Appendix,   Cambridge.      (Uniform  with  publica- 
tions of  the  Geological  Survey  of  California,  by  J.  D.   Whitney.   State  geologist.) 

Second  Geol.    Survey   of   California,    Geology,   vol.    2,   pp.    91-135,    1882.     Contains 

report   on    examination   of   quicksilver   mines   of   State,   by  W.   A.   Goodyear,   May, 

1871;  and  includes  descriptions  of  furnaces  and  their  operation. 
Whitton,    W.    W.,    The    determination    of    mercury    in    ores:    California    Jour.    Tech., 

vol.   4,  No.  1,  pp.  36-39,  September,  1904.     Gives  a  modification  of  the  distillation 

assav. 
ZIPPE,  P.  X.  M.,  Geschichte  der  Metalle,  1857,  p.   208,  re  preparation  of  vermilion  from 

cinna))ar,  by  the  ancients. 


Part  B:     rv  Califoniian  oci-iirrences  on  geology,  mineralogy,  and  mine 
equipments. 

ASHBURNER,  WiM.iAM,  Report  of  the  Sulpluir  Bank  Quicksilver  Mining  Co..  Lake 
County,  Califoinia,  1S76,  p.  5.  Contains  reports  by  William  Ashburner,  James  D. 
Hague,  Tliomas  Price,  and  M.  C.  Vincent.  A  general  description  of  the  Clear 
Lake  i-egion. 

Baverstock,  R.  S.,  Quicksilver:  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  84,  1904,  p.  2.  .  Contams  gen- 
eral notes  on   treatment  and  California  deposits. 

Beck,  R.,  and  Weed,  W.  H.,  Nature  of  ore  deposits,  New  York  and  London,  1905, 
pp.  350-360. 

Becker.  George  1''.,  Geologv  of  the  quicksilver  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Slope:  Mon. 
U.  S.  Geol.  Survey,  vol.  13,  1888;  Abstracts.  Am.  Geology,  vol.  5.  pp.  178-180; 
Am.  Naturalist,  vol.  24,  pp.  850-851;  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  3d  ser.,  vol.  39,  pp.  68-69; 
Eng.   and   Min.   Jour.,  vol.   49,  pp.   137-138. 

,    Sununarv    of    tlic    geolog>-    of    the   quicksilver    deposits   of    tlie    Pacific    Slope: 

Eiglitli  Anii.'Rept.,  IT.  S.  Geol.  Smvoy    pt    2,    1889,  pp.  961-98.=;. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


359 


-Rfcker   G    F     Qiiuksilver  ore  deposits:  Mineral  Resources  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey  for  1802 
Dn'l30-16S     ISi^S       Describes  the  occurrence  of  mercurial  deposits  in  the  United 
States  and  foreign  countries.      Deposits  occur  as  fissure  veins,  impregnations,  and 
Tn' zones   of   broken    country   rock.      Tables    of   production  ,    t  ,     „f    th» 

Statistics   and    technolosry    of   the    precious    metals;    Geological    sketch    of    the 

Pacific  Division:  Tenth  Census  of  the  U.  S.,  vol.  XIII,  pp.  o,  I0-I6.   IS,  19,   Jl,  ^i. 

Am'.  Jour.  Sci..  vol.  31,  p.  120,  1886;  re  formation  of  cinnabar  and  metacin- 


24,  2.^.  26,   1885. 
-.  in 


BERi^^?E.f'z\^nc^!er'v^;  Californien :  Zeits,  fur  Kryst.,  1878,  vol.  2,  p.  19.;  also 
RuU     Soc    Fr    Min..    1881,  vol.   4,   p.   87.  .      ,  ^     ..-,, 

-Rlack's' Supreme  Court  Reporter,  vol.  2:  The  United  States  vs.  Andreas  Castillero. 
before  the  Supreme  Court,  December  term.  1862.  The  testimony  gives  liistory 
of  quicksilver  discovery  and  early  development  in  California,  with  particular 
voference  to  New  Almaden.  .         .         ^  ,-.■.-,■, 

BLAKE    William  P..  Quicksilver  mine  of  Almaden,  California:  Am.  Jour,   bci.,  2d  ser., 

^^'N^W^m^the'o'cSuVence  of  gold  with  cinnabar  in  the  Secondai^  or  Tertiary 

rocks  rCalifornia]  :  Proc.  Boston  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  11,  186S,  pp.  30-,31. 
--Annotated  catalogue  of  principal  mineral  species  hitherto  recognized  in  Cah- 

!^"tote''sS^f  Ifsementf  de^Sna^^^^^^^^        la  Californie  et  du  Nevada:   Bull.    Soc. 


Boutwell!"j.  M',%uSiJfu''er?  Mineral  Resources  U.   S.   for  1906,  Geol.   Survey,   1907, 

Br^d^l^ey^  wIlter  W  ,  Mines  and  mineral  resources  of  the  counties  of  Colusa.  Glenn, 
Lake  Marin  Napa,  Solano,  Sonoma,  Tolo  :  chapters  of  State  Mineralogist  s  report 
IMennial   period.    1913-1914,    Cal.    State   Min.    Bur.,    1915.      Includes   descriptions   of 

^'^'wUh  G    c'^Brown,  F.  L.  Lowell,  R.  P.  McLaughlin:  Mines  and  mineral  resour- 

^;  of  the  counties  of  Fresno,  Kern,  Kings,  Madera,  Mariposa,  Merced  San 
Joanuin  Stanislaus  ;  chapters  of  State  ^lineralogisfs  report,  biennial  penod, 
l°13-l?i4    Cal    State  Min    Bur.,  1915.      Includes  descriptions  of  quicksilver  mines. 

il    the  above  chapters  included  in  Report  XIV,  of  State  Mineralogist,   1916. 

'  ^uh  E    Hugifenin    C.  A.  Logan.  C.  A.  Waring,  Mines  and  mineral  resources  of 

^e'ountfes  of^Monterey,  San  Benito,   San  Luis  Obispo,  f  "j':^  ^artara,  ^  entura^ 

chapters  of  State  Mineralogist's  report,  biennial  period,  191o-1916,  Cal.  btate 
Min    Bur     1916       Includes  descriptions  of  quicksilver  mines  ,„„i^,.    /;„ 

till  preceding  chapters  included  in  Report  XV  of  the  State  Mineralogist    (in 


Browns'g^'Chester,  Mines  and  mineral  resources  of  Shasta,  Siskiyou.  THnity  counties : 
chanters  of  State  Mineralogist's  report,  biennia  period,  .l''l-^-l^V;=i^^Vb«^tert 
mVii     Bur       1915.      Includes    descriptions    of    quicksilver    mines.      These    chapteis 

Rockv  Moimtalns,  by  J.   Ross  Browne,   special   commissioner,   T\  aslunslon,   1S6,, 
L^;  DoVn^n   .lie  cln„.,.,ar  mines      Acoonn.  ot  a  vl'lt  to  New  Aim.,ae„  in  1865. 

^'?  •  V-.P^:  r    PP    ''i.'^Vo^^^fiV^     1888      vof   ix    pp.    209,    330,    337,    1889;    vol.   X, 

-J='^M^iS^'i^''^;^S^V£^rSi^^^'ci^^'^'-'^.    .,,-   wm.    Forstner.     .003. 
__^"'B;liai"6f'-Mini?ffiorSfS&s,"rA.,S.   EaKle.   1914.     I„ci.i<les  .ieserip 


tions  and  localities  of  various  mercury  ."^'"^^'^l^- ^„„„.,^  .   r,,,,     i^p^f     Geol    Univ. 
Christy,  S.   B.,   Report  on  the  genesis  of  cinnabar  deposits,   Bull.   Dept.   Geoi. 

California,  1S78.  ,        ■  *         .t,i   ^ri   ■   T-nil    TT    S    Geol    Survey  No.   491, 

Clarke,   F.  W.,   The  data  of  geochemistry,  2d  ed.  .   Bull.    U.   b.   ueoi.   ouive:> 

1911;   mercury,   pp.    633-638.     ^    ^    ^     ^   ..     ..„    ^^    ^f.,   (.(.q    iqig 
,  Data  of  Geochemistry:  U.  S.  G.  S.,  Bui  .  616    pp    664-669    191b. 

..ilv-Hsst=or°yire,s,'Sffo?t|ifeS;ii^:^,°'''''- "■"""■'■ 

DANA,  J."  D.'    System  of  Mineralogy,   1868    (or  later  editions) 

De   KALB,   CoukTENAY.   Guadalupe   quicksilver  works:    Mm.   and    Sci.    Pi  ess,   ^ol.    100, 

DE  LlcxA^Y^-Tr&'e'de^^etallogenie,   etc.,   vol   III.    Paris.    1913;    re   mineral   deposits, 
including  California. 


360  CAT.IFdRXIA    STATK    MIN'TXC    P-fREAU. 

Demaket.  Leon,  Les  principaux  Kisemonls  des  minerals  de  mercure  du  monde. 
Annalos  des  mines  de  Belsiqiu',  vol.  9.  1904.  Gives  an  account  of  deposits  of 
quiclvsilver  ores  in  tlie  world,  occurrence,  etc.  In  tlie  United  States  tlie  deposits 
in   California,   Oregon,  and  Texas  are  considered. 

DURAND,  F.  K.,  Notes  on  crystals  of  quartz  containing  cinnabar:  Proc.  Cal.  Acad. 
Sci.,    1S68-1872,   vol.    4,  p.    211. 

,   Description  of  a  new  mineral  from  the  New  Almaden  mine:   ibid,  p.   218. 

,    Notes  on   the  crystallizatiiin  of  metacinnabarite  :   ibid.,  p.   219. 

Eakle,  Artihiu  S..  Minerals  of  California,  Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,  Bull.  No.  67,  1914 — 
includes  desci-intions  and  loiMlitics  of  various  mercury  minerals.  Contains  also  a 
bibliography  on   California   minerals. 

Eddy,  I>.  II..  Quicksilver  in  California  in  1910;  Eng.  and  Min.  Jour.,  vol.  91,  1911,  p.  85. 

Edwards,  C.  E..  California  quicksilver  industry:  Min.  World,   Feb.   24,   1906. 

Egleston,  T.,  Mercury  associated  with  liitumen  :  Trans.  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  vol.  3, 
187.T,  p.   27.3. 

Emmons.  Samuel  Franklin,  Geological  distribution  of  the  u.seful  metals  in  the 
United  States  Trans.  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  vol.  22,  1894,  pp.  .53-95  and  737-738. 
Describes  the  geologic  occurrence  in  different  parts  of  the  United  States  of 
quicksilver  and  other  minerals  and  gives  a  summary  of  conclusions  coijcerning 
genesis  of  their  ores. 

Emmons,  W.  H.  The  enrichment  of  ore  deposits,  U.  S.  G.  S.  Bull.  625,  pp.  392-398, 
1917. 

Eng.  &  MiN.  Jour.,  editorial  correspondence,  re  Oceanic  mine  in  San  Luis  Obispo 
County,  Cal.:  vol.   102,  p.  512,  Sept.   16,   1916. 

Fairbanks,  Harold  W.,  Some  remarkable  hot  springs  and  associated  mineral  deposits 
in  Colusa  County,  Cal.  :  Science,  vol.  23,  1894,  pp.  120-121.  Describes  the  occur- 
rence of  hot  springs  and  the  associated  gold  and  quicksilver  deposits  in  this 
county. 

,   Notes  on   the   geology  and  mineralogy   of  portions  of  Tehama,    Colusa,   Lake 

and  Napa  counties:  Cal.   State  Min.  Bur.,  Report  XI,  pp.   54-75,   1S93. 

Forstner,  William,  The  quicksilver  resources  of  California  :  Bull.  Cal.  State  Min. 
Bur.  No.  27,  1903.  Reprinted,  190S.  Includes  chapters  on  condition  of  quick- 
silver, geology  of  quicksilver  belt  in  State,  genesis  of  quicksilver  ore  deposits, 
mines. 

,    The   quicksilver    deposits   of   California:    Eng.    and   Min.    Jour.,    vol.    78,    1904, 

pp.    385-386,   426-428. 

Gabb,  W.  M.,  Communication  on  the  San  Luis  Obisjjo  quicksilver  fossils:  Proc.  Cali- 
fornia Acad.   Sci.,  vol.  3,   1863-1868,  p.   193. 

Gillan,  S.  L.,  Cinnabar  in  the  Sierra  Nevada:  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  114.  p.  79,  1917. 
Describes  a  deposit  at  Tehachapi,   Kern  Co. 

Goodyear,  W.  A.,  Report  on  an  examination  of  the  quicksilver  mines  of  California 
(May,  1871)  :  Geol.  Surv.  of  Cal.  (Whitney),  Geology,  vol.  II,  Appendix,  pp.  91-135, 
1882.      Describes  mines,   geology,  and  furnace  practices.      Illus. 

Hart,  T.  S.,  Notes  on  the  Almaden  mine,  California:  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  2d  ser.,  vol.  16, 
1853,    pp.    137-139. 

Heberlein,  C.  a..  The  mining  and  reduction  of  quicksilver  ore  at  the  Oceanic  mine, 
Cambria,  Cal,  Bull.  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  Feb.,  1915,  pp.  497-504  ;  also  Trans, 
vol.   LI,   pp.   110-119:   Illus. 

Hillebrand,  W.  F.,  re  Coloradoite  in  California:  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  vol.  A'lII,  p.  295, 
1899. 

Horton,  F.  W.,  Quicksilver:  Mineral  Resources  of  the  United  States  for  1905,  U.  S. 
Geol.   Survey,  1906,  pp.   393-404. 

Hugbnin,  Emile,  et  al  authors,.  Mines  and  mineral  resources  of  Monterey,  et  al 
counties:  chapters  of  State  Mineralogist's  report,  biennial  period,  1915-1916,  Cal. 
State  Min.  Bur.,  1916.  Includes  descriptions  of  quicksilver  mines.  These  chap- 
ters included  in  Report  XV  of  State  Mineralogist  (in  press). 

Janin,  Louis,  Jr.  Mining  and  metallurgy  of  quicksilver  in  California  :  Report  for 
1873  on  mineral  resources  of  the  States  and  Territories  west  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains,  bv   R.   W.   Raymond,   special  commissioner,    Washington,    1874,   pp.    379-407. 

Kemp,  J.  F.,  Ore  deposits  of  the  United  States,  3d  ed.,   1900,  pp,   424-428. 

Lakes,  A.,  New  Almaden  mines  of  Santa  Clara  County:  Mines  and  Minerals,  vol.  19, 
1899,  pp.   346-349. 

Lawson,  a.  C,  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey  Geol.  Atlas,  San  Francisco  Folio  (No.  193),  pp.  3-4, 
22,  et  al,  1914.  Describes  and  discusses  Coast  Range  geology,  and  notes  quick- 
silver occurrences  within  the  area  covered  by  the  folio.  Colored  maps  and  sec- 
tions. 

Le  Conte,  Joseph,  and  Rising,  W.  B.,  The  phenomena  of  metalliferous  vein  formation 
now  in  progress  at  Sulphur  Bank,  Cal:  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  od  ser.,  vol.  24,  1882, 
pp.    23-33. 

Le  (5onte,  Joseph.,  On  mineral  vein  formation  now  in  progress  at  Steamboat  Springs 
compared  with  tlic  same  at  Sulpluir  Bank:  Am.  Join-.  Sci.,  3d  ser..  vol.  25,  1883, 
pp.   424-428. 

Lindgren,  W.,  and  Turner,  H.  W.,  Placerville  folio  (No.  3),  California:  Geol.  Atlas 
of  U.  S.,  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey,  1894.  Mentions  occurrences  of  quicksilver  in  this 
area. 

,    and    ,     Smartsville     folio     (No.     18),     California:     Geol.     Atlas    U.     S., 

U.  S.  Geol.  Sui-vey,  1895.  Gives  a  general  dcsi'iiption  of  tlu'  gold  l)elt  of  Cali- 
fornia and  generalized  columnar  section  of  tlio  foiinations  of  tlie  region.  Describes 
different  formations  and  occurrence  of  (luicksilvir.  luchnlcs  toiiogr.-ijiliic  and 
other   maps. 

The  gold   quartz   veins  of   Nevada   City   and   Crass  Vallc.v :   U.   S.    Geol.   Surv., 


Ann.   Rep.    17.   Part   2,    1895-1896. 


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES.  361 

Logan,  C.  A.,  et  al  autlmrs.  ?i[ines  and  mineral  re.sourc(>s  of  Moiiteivy.  ct  al  counties: 

chapters  of  State  Minei-alosisfs  report,  biennial  period,  IDiri-l'ilG,  Cal.  State  Min. 

Bur.,   1916.      Includes  descriptions  of  quicksilver  mines.      These  i-hapters   included 

in   Report  XV  ol"  State  Mineralosist    (in   press). 
Lowell,  F.  H.,  Quicksilver  for  1910:  Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  vol.  102,  1911.  p.  62. 
Lowell,  F.  L.,  et  al  authors.   Mines  and  niineial   resources  of  Fresno,   et  al  coimties: 

chapters  of  State  Mineralogist's  report,  biennial  report,  1913-1914,  Cal.  State  Min. 

Bur.,   1915.     Includes  descriptions  of  quicksilver  mines.     These  chapters  included 

in  Report  XIV  of  State  ]\Iineralogist,  1916. 
Lymax,  C.    S.,   ?ilines  of  cinnaliar   in   upper  California:   Am.   Jour.    Sci.    2d   ser      vol     6 

18-18.    pp.    270-271. 
Mason,  Richard  B.      Letter  from  Col.  Richard  B.  Mason  :  Reports  of  the  Secretary  of 

War    (H.   Doc.    17,    31st  Cong.,   l.st  sess.),   1850,  pp.   528-536.      Gives  a  description 

of  the  quicksilver  mines  near  San  Jose. 
McCaskey,  H.  D.,  Quicksilver:  Mineral  Resources  of  the  United  States  for  1907    U    S 

Geol.  Survey,   1908.  pp.   677-692. 
,    Quicksilver:    Mineral    Resources    of   the   United    States    for    1908,    U.    S.    Geol. 

Survey,   1909,  pp.   683-695. 
,  Quicksilver:  Mineral  Resources  U.   S.  for  1909,  pt.   1,  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey,  1911, 

pp.   549-559;  also  in  Min.   Res.  for  1910-1916    (inc.). 
,  Quicksilver:  Mineral  Resources  U.  S.  for  1910,  pt.   1,  U.  S.  Geol.   Survey,   1911, 

pp.   6't3-710.      Contains  also  a  bibliography  on  North  American  occurrence.s. 
McGarrahan,    William,    The    quicksilver    mines    of    Panoche    Grande.     Washington, 

1860. 
Melville,  W.  H.,  Metaclnnabarite  from  New  Almaden,  Cal. :   Am.   Jour.   Sci.,  Vol.   40, 

p.   293,   1890. 
,   Metaclnnabarite   from   New  Almaden,    Cal.  :    Bull.   U.    S.    Geol.    Survey   No.    78, 

1891.  pp.   80-83. 

and  Lindgren,  W.   Contributions  to  the  mineralogy,  of  the  Pacific  Coast :   Bull. 


U.   S.   Geol.    Survey  No.   61,   1890.     Studies  of  cinnabar  minerals  from   California 

quicksilver  mines. 
Mineral  Industry,  vol.  I  to  XXV,  inc.,  1892  to  1916,  inc.     Contains  articles,  annually 

re  quicksilver  industry  and  mine  developments. 
Min.  &  Sci.  Press,  Quicksilver  in  California,  vol.  74,  pp.  253,  257,   1897. 

,  Quicksilver,  re  Abbot  mine  gas,  vol.   76,  p.   80,  1898. 

,  Reduction  of  cinnabar  at  Sulphur  Creek,  California,  Mav  27,  1905. 

,  Quicksilver  in  California,  vol.   100.  1910,  pp.   15-16. 

,  The  quicksilver  situation,   vol.    100.   1910,  p.   789,   i  p. 

Mining  World,  Feb.  24,  1906.     re  New  Almaden  mine. 

Moore,  G.  E.,  re  "metacinnabar"  :  Am.  Joui.   Sci.,  ser.   3,  vol.  II,  Jan.   1872. 

Newland,  D.  H.,  Quicksilver:  Mineral  Industry,  vol.   12,  New  York,   1904. 

Parker,  Edward  W.,  Quicksilver:   Twenty-first  Ann.   Rept.  U.   S.  Geol.   Survev.  pt.   6, 

1899,  pp.    273-283;    1901,  pp.   656. 
Penfield,  S.  L.,  Crystallized  tiemannite  and  metaclnnabarite:  Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  3d  ser., 

vol.  29,  1885,  pp.  449-454. 
,   Notes  on  the  crystallography  of  metacinnabarite :   ibid.,   1S92.    ser.   3.   vol.    44, 

p.   381. 
Phillips,  J.   S..  and  Louis,  H.,  A  treatise  on  ore  deposits,   2d  ed.,   1896,  pp.   117,   135, 

143,   747,   791. 
Phillips,   William   B.,    Geology   of   quicksilver   deposits:    Min.   World,    vol.    29,    1908, 

p.    131.     Tabulates   the  geologic   relations   and   associated   rocks   and   minerals   of 

quicksilver  deposits. 
POSEPNY,  F.,  The  genesis  of  ore  deposits:  Trans.  Am.  Inst.  Min.  Eng.,  special  pulilica- 

tion.   New   York,    1902,   pp.    32,    66,    256.      Account   of  quicksilver   mine   at   Sulphur 

Bank,  California. 
Randol,  J.   B.,  Quicksilver  in  California:  Report  of  1875   on  mineral   resources  of  the 

States  and  Territories  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  by   R.  W.   Raymond,   Wash- 
ington,  1877,  pp.   4-21. 
,    Report   of   mineral    industries    of   the   United    States :    Eleventh    U.    S.    Census 

Report,    1890.      Contains    special    report    on    quicksilver.      Reprinted    in    Repoi't    X, 

Cal.  State  Min.  Bur.,   1890,  pp.  920-929. 
Ransome,  F.   L.,   Mother  Lode  District,  folio    (No.   63)  :   Geol.  Atlas  U.   S.,  U.   S.  Geol. 

Surv.,    1900.      Mentions  occurrences  of  quicksilver  in   this  distiict   of  California. 
Rath,  G.  von,  Berichte  ueber  die  L'mgebungen  von  San  Francisco,  Santa  Cruz,  und  Neu 

Almaden,  California:   Vortrage  und  Mittheilungen,  1886. 
Raymond,  R.  W.,  Notes  on  the  Almaden  mines  and  on  the  mother  lode  of  California: 

Report   of   1869    on   mineral    resources   of   the   States   and   Territories   west   of   the 

Rocky   Mountains,   by   R.    W.    Raymond,   special   commissioner,    Washington,    18  70, 

pp.  9-11. 
,   vol.   for   1871,   pp.    15-16,    528;    1872,   p.    523;    1873,   pp.    9-11,    497;    1874,   27-39 

(mines),  379-407    (metallurgy)  ;   1875,  pp.  13-21,  173-178,   179-189;   1876,   4-21. 
Rearden,  Phil,  Some  occurrences  of  gases  in  a  <iuicksilvt'r  mine:   Min.  &  Sci.   Press, 

Jan.     18.     1902.      A    description    of    an    experience    in    a    California    mine,     with 

diagrams.      1000   w. 
Reis,   Heinrich,   Economic  geologv  with   special   reference   to   the  United   States,    rev. 

ed.,   1910,  pp.    532-537. 
Rogers,  A.  F.,  re  eglestonite  in  California:   Am.  Jour.  Sci.,  vol.  32,  p.  48,  1911. 
Rolland,  G.,  Les  gtsements  de  mercure  de  Californie  :   Annales  des  mines,  vol.    14,  p. 

384,   1878. 
Sachs,  A.,   Zinnoberkristalle  aus   Sonoma  County  in  Californien  ;   Gips  und   Kalkspat- 

kristalle    von    Terlingua    in    Texas:    Centralbl.    Min.    Geol.    u.    Pal..    No.    1,    1907, 

pp.    17-19. 


362  CALIFORNIA   STATK    MIXING   BUREAU. 

Secretary  of  War,  Report  of:  H.  Doc.   17,  31st  Cong.,   1st  Sess.,   ISoO,  pp.   52S-536. 
Sii.i-MAN,    Benjamin,  Jr.,   Notes   on   the   New   Almaden   quicksilver   mines:  Am.   Jour. 

Sci.,   2(1   ser.,   vol.   38,   1864,   pp.   190-194. 
SoNXENSCMiciN.    F.,    Ueber    das    Vorkonimen    ties    natiirlichon    Goldamalgams    in    Cali- 

fornien  :  Zeits.  der  kpoIos".  Gesell.'^cli.   18.")4,  vol.   6,  p.  243. 
Struthers,  .Joseph,  Quicksilvei- :    Mincinl  Resoui-ces  U.  S.  for  1901,  U.  S.  Geol.  Survey, 

1902,   pp   235-238. 

,  Quicksilver:   Mineral  Industr.v,  vol.   11,  New  York,   1903. 

,   Quicksilver:    Mineral    Resources    U.    S.    for    1902,    U.    S.    Geol.    Survev,    1904, 

pp.  231-23G. 
Turner,   IT.    W.,   and   Ransome,   P.   L.,    Big  Trees   folio    (No.    .51)  :   Geol.   Atlas  U.    S., 

U.    S.    C.eol.    Survey,    1898.      Mentions    occurrences    of   quicksilver   in    this   area    of 

California. 
,    Quicksilver   in   the   United   States    in    1909:   Eng.    &   Min.    Jour.,   Jan.    8,    1910. 

Brief  description  of  production  and  prices,  1000  w. 
,   and   Ransome,  I<".   L.,    Sonora  folio    (No.    41)  :   Geol.   Atlas  U.    S.,   U.    S.   Geol. 

Survey,    1897.      Mentions   occurrences   of  quicksilver   in   this   area  of   California. 
,   Quicksilver    in    the    United    States    in     1909  :    Eng.    and    Min.    Jour.,    vol.    89, 

1910,  p.    82. 

in  Geol.  Soc.  Am.,  vol.  2,  1891,  p.  383  ;  re  derivation  of  Franciscan  serpentines 


in  Coast  Ranges  of  California. 
Tyson,   P.    T.,    Report   upon    the   geology   of   California:    Reports   of   the    Secretary   of 

War   (S.  Ex.  Doc.   47,   31st  Cong.,  1st  sess.),  Washington,   1850.     Contains  article 

on  quicksilver  mines,  etc. 
United   States.   Foreign:   Quicksilver   in    1909.     The  Mineral   Industry,    vol.    IS,    1910, 

pp.   615-623. 
Veatch,  J.  Allen,  The  genesis  of  the  mercury  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Coast :  Am.  Inst. 

Min.    Eng.,    Bull.,    Feb.,    1914.      Describes   typical    examples   of   these   deposits  and 

gives   geological   information   of  interest.      7000  w. 
Wagoner,  Luther,  Report  on  Guadalupe  quicksilver  mine,  California:  Eng.  and  Min. 

Jour.,   vol.    34,    1882,   pp.    185-186,    334. 
Watts,  W.  L.,  Alameda  County,  Cal.  :  Eleventh  Rept.,  California  State  Min.  Bur.,  1893, 

pp.    121-138.     Contains   notes   on    occurrence    of   manganese,    quicksilver,   building 

stones,  and  artesian  wells. 
,     Colusa    County,     Cal.  :     Eleventh     Rept.     California    State     Min.     Bur..     1893, 

pp.    179-188.      Notes  on   the  water  supply,   salt   springs,   quicksilver,   gold,   sulphur, 

and  coal  mines  of  the  county. 
. ,    Lake    County,     Cal.:     Eleventh     Rept.     California     State     Min.     Bui-.,     1893, 

pp.   239-2  40.      Notes  on  some  quicksilver  mines. 
,   Santa  Clara  County,  Cal.  :   Eleventh  Rept.,   California  State  Min.    Bui-.,   1893, 

pp.   374-375.     Brief  notes  on  the  occurrence  of  quicksilver,  manganese,   and  mag- 

nesite. 

Sonoma    County,    Cal.  :    Eleventh    Rept.,    California    State    Min.    Bur.,    1893, 


pp.   453-463.      Notes  on  some  coal  and  quicksilver  mines. 

Stanislaus    County,    Cal.:    Eleventh    Rept.,    Califdrnia    State    Min.    Bur.,    189;: 


pp.   464-46S.      Notes  on  the  Summit  quicksilver  mine. 

^^'HITNEY,  J.   D.,   The  auriferous   gravels  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  of  California,   p.   367, 
1880. 

,    The    Coast    Ranges:    Appendix,    Cambridge.      (Uniform    with    publications    of 

the  Geological  Survey  of  California,  by  J.  D.  Whitney,  State  geologist.)  Second 
Geol.  Survey  of  California,  Geology,  vol.  2,  pp.  91-135,  1882.  Contains  report  on 
examination  of  quicksilver  mines  of  state,  by  W.  A.  Goodyear,  Ma.v.  1871. 

Geology  of  California:  Geol.   Surv.  of  Cal.,  vol.   I,  pp.   16,   19,  68-71,   83,   89-92, 


230,    1865.      Describes  geology  of  certain   quicksilver  districts. 
Yale,  Chas.  G.,  California  quicksilver:  Eng.  &  Min.  Jour.,  Jan.  6,  1906.     Reports  affairs 
in    this    industry    to    be    in    a   rather    bad    state,    discussing    some    of    the    causes. 
1500   w. 

Quicksilver  in  California:  Min.  and  Sci.  Press,  vol.  94,  No.   1,  January  5,   19(17, 


p. 


0  9 


Quicksilver  mining  in  California:  Mineral  Industry,  vol.  15,  New  York,  1907. 
(^liclisilvei-  ill  California  (in  1907)  :  lOiig.  and  Min.  Jour.,  vol.  85,  1908,  p.  89. 


QUICKyiLVEK    RESOURCES.  363 

PUBLICATIONS  OF  THE  CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING 

BUREAU. 

Publications  of  this  Bureau  will  be  sent  on  receipt  of  the  requisite  amount.     Only 
stamps,  coin  or  money  orders  will  be  accepted  in  payment. 

Money  orders  should  be  made  payable  to  the   State  Mining  Bureau. 
Personal  checks  iviU  not  be  accepted. 

REPORTS. 

Asterisk   (*)   indicates  the  publication  is  out  of  print. 

•Report         I.     Henry  G.  Hanks.     18S0. 

♦Report        II.     Henry  G.  Hanks.     1SS2. 

•Report      III.     Henrv  G.  Hanks.     1883. 

♦Report       IV.     Henry  G.  Hanks.     1884. 

♦Report        V.     Henry  G.  Hanks.     1885. 

♦Report      VI.     Part  1.     Henry  G.  Hanks.     1886. 

♦Report      VI.     Part  2.     "Wm.   Irelan.   Jr.     1886. 

♦Report    VII.     "W'm.   Irelan,  Jr.     1887. 

♦Report  VIII.     Vm.   Irelan,   Jr.     1888. 

♦Report      IX.     AVm.  Irelan,  Jr.     1889. 

♦Report        X.     AVm.  Irelan,  Jr.     1890.  Price 

Report      XL     Wm.   Irelan,   Jr.     1892.     (First  biennial) $1.00 

♦Report    XII.     J.    J.    Crawford.     1894.     (Second   biennial) 

♦Report  Xni.     J.    J.    Crawford,    1896.     (Third   biennial) 

Chapters   of    State    Mineralogist's   Report,    Biennial    period,    1913-1914,    Fletcher 
Hamilton: 
Mines  and  Mineral  Resources  of  Imperial  and  San  Diego  Counties — F.  J.  H. 

Merrill.     1914    .35 

Mines  and   Mineral  Resources,   Amador,   Calaveras  and  Tuolumne  Counties — 

TV'.   B.   Tucker.     1915   .50 

Mines   and    Mineral    Resources,    Colusa.    Glenn.    Lake,    Marin,    Napa,    Solano, 

Sonoma  and  Yolo  Counties — Walter  W.   Bradley.     1915 .50 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Del  Norte,   Humboldt  and  Mendocino  Counties 

— F.    L.   Lowell.     1915 .25 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Fresno,  Kern,  Kings,  Madera,  Mariposa,  Mer- 
ced,   San    Joaquin    and    Stanislaus    Counties — TA'alter    W.    Bradley,    G.    C. 

Brown,   F.    L.   Lowell  and   R.   P.   McLaughlin,   1915 .50 

Mines  and   ISIineral  Resources,   Shasta,    Siskiyou  and  Trinity  Counties — G.   C. 

Brown.      1915    .50 

Report  XrV.     Fletcher  Hamilton,    1915,    Biennial  period   1913-1914.     (The   above 

county  chapters  combined  in  a  single  volume) 2.00 

Chapters   of   State   Mineralogist's   Report,    Biennial   Period,    1915-1916,    Fletcher 
Hamilton: 
Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Alpine.  Inyo  and  Mono  Counties,  with  geological 
map — Arthur    S.    Eakle,    Emile    Huguenin,    R.    P.    McLaughlin,    Clarence    A. 

Waring.      1917    1.25 

Same  as  above,   without  geological   map .65 

Mines    and    Mineral    Resources,    Butte,    Lassen,    Modoc,    Sutter   and    Tehama 

Counties — W.   Burling  Tucker,   Clarence  A.  Waring.     1917 .50 

!Mines    and    Mineral    Resources,    El    Dorado,    Placer,    Sacramento    and    Yuba 

Counties — W.    Burling   Tucker,    Clarence   A.   Waring.     1917 .65 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources,  Los  Angeles,  Orange  and  Riverside  Counties — 

Frederick   J.   H.   Merrill.     1917 .50 

Mines  and  Mineral  Resources.  Monterey,  San  Benito.  San  Luis  Obispo,  Santa 
Barbara  and  Ventura  Counties; — Walter  W.  Bradley,  Emile  Huguenin,  C.  A. 

Logan,    Clarence    A.    Waring.     1917 -65 

Mines   and   Mineral   Resources,    San    Bernardino   and   Tulare    Counties — H.    C. 

CloUdman.  Emile  Huguenin,  F.  J.  H.  Merrill,  W.  Burling  Tucker.     1917 .65 

Report  XV.      Fletcher  Hamilton,   1918,  Biennial  period,   1915-1916.      (The  above 

county  chapters  combined  in  a  single  volume) (In  press) 

BULLETINS. 

♦Bulletin     1.     Dessicated  Human   Remains. — Winslow  Anderson.     1888 

♦Bulletin     2.     Methods  of  Mine  Timbering.— W.   H.    Storms.      1894 

•Bulletin     3.     Gas  and  Petroleum  Yielding  Formations  of  the  Central  Valley  of 

California.— AV.   L.  Watts.      1894 

♦Bulletin     4.     Catalogue    of    California    Fossils    (Parts    2,    3,    4    and    5). — J.    G. 

Cooper.      1894    

♦Bulletin     5.     The   Cyanide  Process:   Its  Practical   Application  and   Economical 

Results— A.    Scheidel.      1894    

Bulletin     6.     California  Gold  Mill   Practices.— E.  B.   Preston.     1895 $0.50 

♦Bulletin     7.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by    Counties,    1894. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated    sheet) 

•Bulletin     8.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by    Counties,    1895. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.       (Tabulated    sheet) 

♦Bulletin     9.     Mine  Drainage,   Pumps.   etc.^Hans  C.   Behr.     1896 

♦Bulletin  10.     A     Bibliography    Relating    to     the    Geology,     Palaeontology,     and 

Mineral    Resources   of   California. — A.    W.    Vogdes.     1896 

♦Bulletin  11.     Oil  and   Gas   Yielding   Formations   of   Los   Angeles,   Ventura  and 

Santa   Barbara   Counties.— W.    L.    Watts.     1896 

♦Bulletin  12.     Mineral   Production   of   California,   by   Counties,    1896. — Chas.   G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated    sheet) - 


364 


CALIFORNIA   STATE   MINING  BUREAU. 


PUBLICATIONS    OF    THE    CALIFORNIA    STATE     MINING     BUREAU— Continued. 

Asterisk   (•)   indicates  the  publication  is  out  of  print.  Price. 

•Bulletin  13.     Mineral    I'roduction    of    California,    by    Counties,    1897. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.       (Tabulated    sheet) 

•Bulletin  14.     Mineral    Production   of   California,    by   Counties,    1898. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

Bulletin   15.     Map  of  Oil  City  Oil  Fields,  Fresno  County. — J.  H.  Means 

•Bulletin   16.     The   Genesis   of   Petroleum   and   Asphaltum   in   California. — A.    S. 

Cooper.     1899 

•Bulletin   17.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by   Counties,    1899. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin   18.     The  Mother  Lode  Region  of  California. — W.  H.  Storms,   1900 

•Bulletin   19.     Oil   and   Gas    Yielding   Formations   of   California. — W.    L.   Watts. 

1900 

•Bulletin  20.     Synopsis    of    General    Report    of    State    Mining    Bureau. — W.    L. 

Watts.     1900 

•Bulletin  21.     Mineral    Production    of   California,   by   Counties,    1900. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin  22.     Mineral   Production   of  California  for  Fourteen   Years. — Chas.   G. 

Yale.      1900.      (Tabulated    sheet)     

Bulletin.  Reconnaissance  of  tlie  Colorado  Desert  Mining  District. — Steplien 

Bowers.     1901 

Bulletin  23.     The  Copper  Resources  of  California. — P.  C.  DuBois,  F.  M.  Ander- 
son, J.   H.  Tibbits,  and  G.  A.  Tweedy.      1902 $0.50 

♦Bulletin  24.     The   Saline  Deposits  of  California. — G.   E.   Bailey.      1902 

♦Bulletin  25.     Mineral    Production    of   California,    by   Counties,    1901. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin  26.     Mineral    Production    of    California   for    Fifteen    Years. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.     1901.     (Tabulated  sheet) 

♦Bulletin  27.     The   Quicksilver   Resources   of   California. — Wm.    Forstner.     1903    

•Bulletin  28.     Mineral    Production    of   California,   by    Counties,    1902. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated    sheet)    

•Bulletin   29.     Mineral    Production    of    California   for    Sixteen    Years. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.     1902.     (Tabulated  sheet) 

'Bulletin   30.     A  Bibliography  of  Geology,  Palaeontology,  and  Mineral  Resources 

of  California. — A.  W.  Vogdes.      1903    

•Bulletin  31.     Chemical  Analyses  of  California  Petroleum. — H.  N.  Cooper.     1903. 

(Tabulated  sheet)    

Bulletin  32.     Production  and  Use  of  Petroleum  in  California. — P.  W.  Prutzman. 

1904 .25 

♦Bulletin   33.     Mineral    Production    of   California,    by   Counties,    1903. — Chas.    G. 

Yale       (Tabulated    sheet)        — 

•Bulletin  34.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Seventeen  Years. — Chas.  G. 

Yale.     1903.     (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin  35.     Mines  and  Minerals  of  California  for  1903. — Chas.  G.  Yale.      1904. 

(Statistical)     

•Bulletin  36.     Gold  Dredging  in  California. — J.   E.  Doolittle.     1905 

Bulletin  37.     Gems,  Jewelers'  Materials,  and  Ornamental  Stones  of  California. 
— George  F.  Kunz.      1905  : 

First  edition   (without  colored  plates) .25 

♦Second  edition    (with  colored  plates) 

•Bulletin   38.     The    Structural    and    Industrial    Materials    of    California. — Wm. 

Forstner,    T.    C.    Hopkins,    C.   Naramore,   L.    H.    Eddy.     1906__    

•Bulletin  39.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by   Counties,    1904. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated    sheet)    

•Bulletin  40.     Mineral   Production   of  California   for  Eighteen  Years. — Chas.   G. 

Yale.      1904.      (Tabulated    sheet)    

•Bulletin  41.     Mines    and    Minerals    of    California,     for    1904 — Chas.     G.     Yale 

(Statistical)     

•Bulletin  42.     Mineral    Production    of   California,    by   Counties,    1905. — Chas.   G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated    sheet)    

•Bulletin  43.     Mineral   Production  of  California  for  Nineteen  Years. — Chas.   G. 

Yp.le.      1905.      (Tabulated    sheet)    

•Bulletin  44.     Mines    and    Minerals    of    California,    for    1905. — Chas.    G.    Yale. 

(Statistical)    

•Bulletin  45.     Auriferous  Black  Sands  of  California. — J.  A.  Edman.     1907 

Bulletin  46.     General  Index  to  Publications  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau. — Com- 
piled by  Chas.  G.  Yale.      1907 .30 

•Bulletin  47.     Mineral    Production    of   California,    by   Counties,    1906. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin  48.     Mineral    Production    of    California   for   Twenty    Years. — Chas.    G. 

Yale.      1906.       (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin  49.     Mines    and    Minerals    of    California,    for    1906. — Chas.    G.    Yale. 

(Statistical)    

Bulletin  50.     The   Copper   Resources   of   California. — A.    Hausmann,   J.    Krutt- 

schnitt,   Jr.,  W.   E.   Thorne,   J.   A.   Edman.     1908 1.00 

•Bulletin  51.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by    Counties,    1907. — D.    H. 

Walker.      (Tabulated     slieet)     

•Bulletin  52.     Mineral   Production   of  California  for  Twenty-one   Years. — D.   H. 

Walker.      1907.      (Tabulated    sheet)     

•Bulletin  53.     Mineral   Production   of  California   for   1907,   with   County   Maps — 

D.     IT.     Walker.      1908.      (Statistical) 

•Bulletin  54.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by    Counties,     1908. — D.    H. 

Walker.      (Tabulated    sheet)    

•Bulletin   55.     Mineral   Production   of  California  for  Twenty-two   Years. — D.   H. 

Walker.     1908.      '^ 'tabulated    sheet)     


QUICKSILVER   RESOURCES. 


365 


PUBLICATIONS    OF    THE    CALIFORNIA    STATE    MINING     BUREAU— Continued. 
Asterisk  (♦)   indicates  the  publication  is  out  of  print.  Price. 

•Bulletin  56.     Mineral    Production    for    1908,    County    Maps,    and    Mining   Laws 

of  California. — D.   H.   Walker.      1909.      (Statistical) 

•Bulletin  57.     Gold    Dredging    In    California. — W.    B.    Winston,    Charles    Janin. 

1910 

•Bulletin  58.     Mineral    Production    of    California,    by    Counties,     1909. — D.    H. 

Walker.      (Tabulated    sheet)    

•Bulletin  59.     Mineral  Production  of  California  for  Twenty-three  Years. — D.  H. 

Walker.      1909.      (Tabulated   sheet)    

•Bulletin   60.     Mineral    Production    for    1909,    County   Maps,    and    Mining   Laws 

of  California. — D.H.Walker.     1910.     (Statistical) 

•Bulletin  61.     Mineral   Production   of   California,    by   Counties,    for   1910. — D.    H. 

"Walker,  Statistician.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

•Bulletin  62.     Mineral   Production  of   California  for  Twenty-four  Years. — D.   H. 

Walker.    Statistician.      1910.      (Tabulated  sheet) 

Bulletin  63.     Petroleum   in   Southern   California. — P.   W.    Prutzman.      1912 $0.75 

•Bulletin   64.      Mineral   Production  for   1911. — 'E.   S.   Boalich,  Statistician,   1912__     

*Bulletin   65.      Mineral  Production  for  1912. — E.  S.  Boalicli,  1913 

•Bulletin   66.     Mining  Laws,  United   States  and   California,   1914 

Bulletin  67.     Minerals    of    California.— A.    S.    Eakle,    1914 

•Bulletin   6S.      Mineral   Production   for  1913. — E.    S.    Boalich,    1914 

Bulletin  69.     Petroleum  Industry  of  California,  with  Folio  of  Maps  (18x22  in.) 

— R.   P.  McLaughlin  and  C.   A.  Waring,    1914 2.00 

•Bulletin  70.     Mineral    Production    for    1914,    with    Mining   Law  Appendix.     1915    

•Bulletin  71.     California  Mineral  Production  for  1915,  with  Mining  Law  Appen- 
dix and  Maps. — Walter  W.  Bradley.  1916 

•Bulletin  72.      Geologic    Formations   of   California. — James   Perrin    Smith.      1917 

(For  Map,   see  below) ._       .25 

'Bulletin   73.     Report    of   Operations   of   Department   of  Petroleum   and   Gas  for 

1915-1916. — R.    P.     McLaughlin.       1917 

Bulletin  74.     California    Mineral    Production    for    1916,    with    County    Maps. — 

Walter   W.    Bradley.     1917 

Bulletin  75.     Mining  Laws,  United   States  and  California,   1917 

Bulletin  76.     Manganese    and    Cliromium    in    California. — Walter   W.    Bradley, 
Emile    Huguenin,    C.    A.    Logan,    W.    Burling    Tucker,    C.    A. 

Waring,  191S   (In  press) t 

Bulletin   77.     Catalogue    of    the    Publications    of    the    California    State    Mining 

Bureau,    lSSO-1917. — E.    S.    Boalich,    1918 

Bulletin   7S.      Quicksilver  Resources  of  California. — Walter  W.  Bradley,  1918 t 

Bulletin  79.      Magnesite    in    California.     (In    preparation) 

Bulletin   80.     Tungsten,   Molybdenum  and  Vanadium  in  California.      (In  prep- 
aration)        

Bulletin   82.      Second    Annual    Report    of    the    State    Oil    and    Gas    Supervisor, 

1916-1917. — R.    P.    McLauglilin.      1918 

Bulletin   83.     California    Mineral    Prodnction    for    1917,    with    County    Maps. — 

Walter  W.   Bradley.      1918 

Preliminary    Reports. 
♦Preliminary  Report  No.   1.     Notes    on    Damage    by    Water    in    California    Oil 

Fields,   Dec,   1913.     By  R.   P.   McLaughlin 

•Preliminary  Report    No.    2.     Notes    on    Damage    by    Water    in    California    Oil 

Fields,    Mar.,    1914.     By    R.    P.    McLaughlin 

•Preliminary  Report  No.  3.     Manganese  and  Chromium,  1917.  By  E.  S.  Boalich     

Preliminary  Report  No.  3.     Manganese    and     Chromium.     By    E.     S.     Boalich. 

(Second    edition)    

Preliminary  Report  No.   4.     Tungsten,    Molybdenum  and  Vanadium,   1918.     By 

B.   S.   Boalich  and  W.   O.  Castello 

Preliminary    Report    No.    5.     Antimony,    Graphite,    Nickel,    Potash,    Strontium, 

Tin,  1918.     By  E.   S.  Boalich  and  W.   O.  Castello 

Registers    of    IVIines   with    Maps. 

Amador   County $.25 

Butte    County    .25 

•Calaveras    County    

♦El  Dorado  County 

•Inyo    County    : 

•Kern  County 

Lake  County .25 

Mariposa  County .25 

•Nevada    County    

•Placer  County 

•Plumas    County    

•San   Bernardino  County 

•San   Diego   County — -- 

Santa  Barbara  County -25 

•Shasta   County   

•Sierra  County 

•Siskiyou  County 

•Trinity  County 

•Tuolumne  County — -- 

Yuba   County    -25 

Register  of  Oil  Wells   (with  map),  Los  Angeles  City -35 

tWrite    for   price-list. 


366  CALIFORNIA    STATE    MINING    BUREAU. 

OTHER    MAPS. 

♦California,  Showing  Mineral  Deposits   (50x60  in.) —  Price 

Mounted     fl.50 

Forest   Reserves   in   California — 

Mounted    -50 

Unmounted    .30 

♦Mineral  and  Relief  Map  of  California 

Bl  Dorado  County.  Showing  Boundaries  of  National  Forests .20 

Madera  County,   Showing  Boundaries  of  National   Forests .20 

Placer   County,   Showing  Boundaries  of  National   Forests .20 

Shasta   County,    Showing   Boundaries   of   National    Forests .20 

Sierra    County,    Showing    Boundaries    of    National    Forests .20 

Siskiyou  County,  Showing  Boundaries  of  National  Forests .20 

Trinity  County,   Showing  Boundaries  of  National  Forests .45 

Tuolumne  County,  Showing  Boundaries  of  National  Forests .20 

♦Mother    Lode    Region     

Desert    Region    of    Southern    California    .10 

Minaret    Region,    Madera    County .20 

Copper  Deposits  in   California .05 

Calaveras   County    .25 

Plumas    County    .25 

Tuolumne     County     .25 

Geological  Map  of  California    (mounted) — 50x60   inches 2.50 

DETERMINATION    OF    MINERAL   SAMPLES. 

Samples  (limited  to  three  at  one  time)  of  any  mineral  found  in  the  state  may  he 
sent  to  the  Bureau  for  identification,  and  the  same  will  be  classified  free  of  charge. 
No  samples  will  be  determined  if  received  from  points  outside  the  state.  It  must  be 
understood  th.at  no  assays  or  quantitative  determinations  will  be  made.  Samples 
should  be  in  lump  form  if  possible,  and  marked  plainly  with  name  of  sender  on  out- 
side of  package,  etc.  No  samples  will  be  received  unless  delivery  charges  are  prepaid. 
A  letter  should  accompany  sample,  giving  locality  where  mineral  was  found  and  the 
nature   of   the   information   desired. 


INDEX. 


Page 

Abbey  grovip 192 

Abbott  mine 33,  36,  52,  53-55 

map   of   __ 54 

mercury   selenide   in 27 

Abegg:,  R.  J 322,  354 

Absorbed  quicksilver  losses... 242,  243 

Absorption  losses 241-243 

Acacliuma  mine 152 

Adams,  W.  J 354 

Adamson,  W.  G --_-_ 206,  254,  288 

Adelaide    district    34,  126 

Adobes,  fine  ore  moulded  into 231 

Adobe  Valley  mine 197 

Adyantages  of  the  alkaline  sulphide  solution  method 325,  326,   351 

Aeration  in  flotation  tests — 300,  317 

^Etna  Consolidated  Company — -- 30 

consolidated   mine    77 

district,   associated  minerals  of 29 

Extension  claims 80 

mine _--22,  77-79,  292,  293,  295,  312,  314 

concentration  at 335,  336 

ore   samples  from 287 

retort  condensers  at _ 257 

retorts  at  _ ' 212 

sewer-pipe  flues  in  condensers,  at 264 

wooden  condensers  at 256 

Mineral  ^Spring's : 76 

ore,   flotation  tests  on 314 

Aerial  tramways 113,  116.   130,   131,   145^,   195 

Agricola.    Georgius    _ 207,  354 

Age  of  European  quicksilver  deposits 21 

formations  in  New  Almaden  district 155 

ore  deposits 18,  21 

Air  as  a  de-sulphurizer 209 

circulation   in   retorts 211,  212,  213 

cold,  introduction  of,  into  condenser  flow 265 

for  combustion  in  coarse-ore  furnaces 226 

in  retorting,  use  of _, 336 

regulation  of,  in  quicksilver  furnaces 240 

Alameda  County,  cinnabar  in 35 

Alice  and  Modoc  mine 138 

mine    -- 126 

Algeria,  ciuicksilver  in -- 29 

Alkaline  sulphide  solution  method,  advantages  of 351 

application  of,  at  Buffalo  Mines,  Cobalt,  Canada 324 

cost   of ---- 1___324,  325,  327 

effect  of  ochre  on - 323,  326 

electrolytic   deposition   from 328 

extraction  of  mercury  by -- 321-328 

installation  cost  of__ 351 

interfering  elements  to 326 

practical  application  of—-- 323-328 

Allen,  E.  T 321,  354 

G.  L. - -- -  — -- 300,  319,  357 

Almaden,  Incandescent  and  Tunnel  Site  group 182 

mine,   Spain 161 

associated  minerals  of 29 

ore  deposits  of 21,   22,   24 

production    cost    at 12 

Alpine  Quicksilver  Mining  Company 96-98 

Alta 155 

Altamont  copper  group 1S2 

Altoona  mine  ---- ---- 200,  201,  330 

Knox-Osborne  flne-ore  furnace  at 227 

Aluminimi,  precipitation  of  mercury,  by 323,  325 

Amadoi-  mine 42 

Amalgam 26 

.\malfj;amation  of  gold  and  silver,  quicksilver  in 9 

Amarillo    mine    71 

American    mine 59 

Ammiolite 27 

Ammonia  in  hot  waters  of  Manz.inita  mine 39 

Amorphous  black  sulpliide  of  mi  rcury 208 

'Amorphous'    cinnabar    25 

Amortiziition  cliarges 352 

Amrillo   mine    -- 71 

Anaconda  Copper  Mining  Company,  settling-flue  experiments  by 268 

Analyses  of  mercurial  soot 272 

screen,    of   ores   testeJ 292,  293 


368  INDEX. 

rage 

And.'ison.  H.  G.   S.__ 206,   244,   325,  326 

prospects 55 

Robert 94 

Aiuly   Johnson   mine 98 

Anti-foulins-  paint  for  ships'  bottoms 9 

Antimonial    niiiicrals    28,  2!t 

ores  associated  with  cinnabar 96,121 

Apparatus  for  quiclisilver  assay 278,  281,  283,  284 

laboratory,  for  flotation  tests 300-303 

Arambide  mine 44 

Archer  mine 43 

Arizona   cinnabar  ore,  solution  tests  on 326 

Arquerite 26 

Asbestos   in   Trinity  County ■      200 

Asliburner,  William — 358 

Asplialtic-base   petroleum   for   flotation 305,  314,  317 

Assay   methods   for   quicksilver 277-285 

Assaying,  lack  of 210 

Assays,    bibliosrapliy   on 354-358 

Associated   and    gangue   minerals 28-29 

Aurecoeeliea  mine — 44 

Aurora  group 99-100 

mine    -- 95 

rotary   furnace   at 09,  100,  247 

Author's    experimental    investigations 206 

experiments  on  allvaline  sulpliide  solution 322-323 

concentration  by  flotation 300-320 

concentration  of  quicksilver  ores 286-328 

Automatic  charging  of  Scott  furnace 235 

Avala,   Servia 29 

Bacon  claim -- 55 

Consolidated   group 182 

Baffle-type  furnaces ^    226 

Baffles,  use  of,   in  condensers 267-268 

Bag-house  filtration 267 

Baker,  A.  L, -- 354 

mine 55 

concentration  at 56,  337 

Ball,  L.  C --___-- 354 

Banl<    mine    — 128 

Barcenite : 27 

Barfoed,   C.   T 354 

Barite 28,  29 

Barrel  condensers  at  New  Idria  mine 258 

Barron  &  Company _ 139 

Barton-Lange    mine    1*'9 

mine,   concentration  at 338 

Basalt,  exfoliation  of 65 

Base-metal  tliermo-couple . 239 

Baverstock,    R.    S.__ 354,  358 

Beals,    R.    L.__ 206,  290,  316 

Bear  Canon  mine 68 

Beck,  R. 358 

Becker,  G.  F.__-- 7,  14,  18,  19,  21,  22,  23,  25,  27,  28,  39, 

42,   66,  67,  77,   86,  94,  112,  154,   155,  156,  162,  163,  188,  204.  291,  316,  321,  354,   358 

Bella  Union-La  Joya  group 30 

Bella  Union  mine 80,  292,  293,  297,  298,  312,  315,  316,  322 

concentration  at 80,  337 

notation   at   337 

Neate  furnaces  at 223 

ore  samples  from J;89 

ore,  notation  tests  on 315,  ol6 

solution   tests  on 322 

Benta  group    ICO 

Benton   Ranch   deposit 127 

Berkeley   Hills,   cinnabar  in 35 

Bernal  mine 155,  157 

Bei'nard  cinnabai-   mine 30,42 

Berryessa  Cattle  Company 82 

Berthelot,  M. 354 

Bertrand,  E. 359 

Bibliogi'aphy  on  assays,  chemistry,  ore-di'essing,  metallurgy,  etc 354-358 

Californian  occurrences,  on  geology,  metallurgy,  and  mine  equipments 358-362 

quicksilver 354-362 

Big  Cliief  mine 55 

Injun  mine 5^,^bl 

c'Oiu'enlration  at 57,  337 

native  mercury  in 57,  288 

ore  sample  from 288 

Binder,   G.   A 354 

Bitumen  associated  with  cinnabar 189 

Bitumens 28.  29 

Bituminous  .siilistanccs  wiUi  qiiicksiUi-i-  ores 23 


INDEX.  369 

Page 

Black  Bear  mine 1S9 

Butte  mine,  Oregon,  roasting  period  at 236 

Rocli  mine 147 

sulphide  of  mercury 208 

Black's   Supreme   Court   Reporter _354    359 

Blake,  W.  F 359 

Blanck's  hot  sulpliur  springs,  flow  of,  cut  off  by  Wide  Awake  shaft 32 

Blue   Wing  mine 35 

Boeseke,  O.  W.,  concentration  by 337 

Boiling  point  of  mercury 208 

Bonanza  group  100 

Booth,   F.    J 354 

Borax 29 

at  Sulpliur  Bank  mine 63 

in  hot  waters  of  Manzanita  mine 39 

Bornio,  quicksilver  in 29 

Boston   group 182 

mine 22,  33,  82 

Scott  furnace  at 234 

mine   (San  Benito  County) 99 

Botella,  F.  de 355 

Boutwell.    J.    M — 354,  359 

Bowie  prospect 157 

Bradford  mine 62 

mine   (San  Benito  County) 93,95,101 

Bradley,  W.  \\" 7,  9,  213,  247,  264,  287,  330,  332,  336,  338,  339,  350,  354,  359 

Brainard  prospect  — — — 157 

Brand,   Dammer 354 

Braun-Kneclit-Heiman  Company 283 

Brelich,   Henry — 354 

Brick  condensers  for  Scott  furnace 263 

Bright  Hope  mine 186 

Broughton.    R.    H 206,  290 

Brownlie   mine 171 

Brown,    C.    F — 354 

electric  pyrometer,  use  of 180,  342 

G.   Chester 7,  359 

recording  pyrometer 118,  250 

Browne,  J.   Ross 359 

Brunner,  C. 354 

Brush,   G.   J -- 359 

Buckeye  claim   (Sonoma  County) 181,  183 

mine    (Colusa    County) 39 

Buena  Vista  mine — 140 

Buffalo    mines,     Cobalt,     Canada,    application    of    alkaline     sulphide     solution 

method   at 324-325 

Bullion  mine 57 

concentration  at -- 57,  338 

Bumping  tables 335,  336 

Bureau  of  Mines,  assay  method 278 

Butts  mine   101 

Calaveras  County,  cinnabar  in 35 

Calcite    29 

California  Borax  Company 63 

ciude  petroleum  as  a  flotation  oil 305,  314,  317 

map  of,   showing  distribution  of  quicksilver  districts 17 

mine    __ 205 

practical  applications  of  concentration  to  quicksilver  ores  in 329—348 

quicksilver  districts 30-34 

State  Mining  Bureau 355,  359 

University  of.  College  of  Mining 277 

Californian  occurrences  on  geology,  etc.,  bibliography  on 358-362 

Calistoga  hot  springs,  quicksilver  at 81 

Callow   flotation   cells 343 

Calol  flotation  oils 305,  317 

Calomel    -- 26 

Cambria  mine 128-131,  292,  293,  297,  322 

costs   at 131 

extraction    at 245 

map    of -- 129 

native  mercury  in 2SS 

operating  cost  at 244 

ore   sample   from 288 

ore,   solution   tests  on — 322 

Cannon  mine 102 

Capacity  of  Scott  furnace 231,  234 

Capital  investment  in  furnace  plants 352 

Capitola  mine 131 

large  pyrite  crystals  in 132 

Carey,  Elmer  E -- 355 

Carr  prospect 201 

Carson,  E.   W 130,   134,   206,   244,   245,   288,  326 

Castek,   Franz  __ 241,  355 

24—38640 


370  INDEX. 

Paice 

Case    notation    machinr 301-30o 

Castillero,  Andreas,  discoveiy  of  New  Almaden  mine  by 154 

Caustic  soda,  use  of.  in  dotation 314 

Caving  system  used  in  Oceanic  mine 143 

Cement-lviln  type  of  furnace 247-250 

Central    San    Benito   district 93.  95 

Cintur\-  Mining'  Company 159 

Cerist-  Gold  Mining  Co 38.  331 

Cerniak-Spirel<    condenser -- 256 

furnace 227 

tiles   for   — 231 

Cerro  Bonito  mine 93,  95,  102-103 

Cerro  Gordo  mine , 46 

Chaboya  mine 160 

Chalcedony    __ 28 

Chalcopyrite 29 

Chamber  condensers,  large 258-270 

Cliambered   veins 2.3 

Chapman    mine    -- 160 

C.iar.t;ing,  automatic,  of  Scott  furnace 2.35 

Chart  of  quicksilver  production  and  value,   1850-1917 11 

of  (luicksilver  (luotatio)is,    1914-1918 12 

Chemical  reactions  for  sulphide  solutions 208,  209,   321,  324,  325 

Chemistry,    bibliography    on 354-358 

Chicago  mine 58 

Chism,  R.  E 282,  355 

Chloride  Cliff  mine 46 

Chlorite,  as  an  end  product  of  the  weathering  of  serpentine 80,  85,  115,  195 

Cholame-Parkfield  mine 73 

t'hristy,  S.   B 21,  208,  231,  246,  259,  264,  266,  271,  355,  356,  359 

experiments  of,  at  New  Almaden 246 

Chromite  in  serpentine 95 

Trinity  County 200 

Chrysotile  asbestos  in  Trinity  County --__ 200 

Cinnabar 25 

deposition  of 23 

King  group _ — 183 

Mining  Company -- --__  — 183 

mode  of  occurrence  of,  in  Sulphur  Bank  mine 67 

native  gold  associated  with 38 

sulpluir  associated  with 37 

solubility  of 23 

Cincinnatti  claim -- 181 

mine    -- 69 

Circle   B.   Mining  Company -- 157 

Clark,  E.  A.,  et  al 338 

Clarke,  F.  W 23,  355,  359 

Classification  in  mill  at  New  Idria  mine 341 

Claus  group  __ 132 

Clear  Lake  district 32,52 

geological  map  of —  __-- 32 

Clovei-  Creek  Cinnabar  Company 168 

mine    168 

Cloverdale  mine  __ 181,  183-185 

concentration  at 185,  338 

fuel   oil  used  at 16 

Livermore  furnace  at -- 226,  227,  229 

wooden  condensers  at 256 

Coarse-ore   furnaces    219-226 

air  for  combustion  in 226 

at  New  Idria ---_ 117 

cost  of  operating 225 

effect  of  fines   in 226 

temperature    distribution    in 225 

lop  losses  of 225 

top  seal  for -- 225 

Coast  Ranges,  geologic  formations  of 17 

Coccinite    26 

Cody  mine 103 

Coignet,   M. 359 

Collins,   H.   P 355 

Colorado    bumping   tables 335,  336 

Coloradoite 26.  203 

Colusa  County,  mines  in _-- 36-40 

(luic-ksilver  production  of 36 

Sidphur  Creek  district  in 36 

Combination   distillation — titration   assay   method 278-279 

Coml)UStion.    air    for-- 240 

Comparative  costs  of  furnace  and  concentration  plant 352 

Composition  of  waters  at  Sulphur  Bank  mine 201 

Comstock  mine 157 

silver  mines,  contract  of,  with  Redington  company  for  quicksilver S3 

W.    J.    359 


INDEX.  371 

Page 

Comentrates,  liiyiiig'  of,  at  New  Idria  mine <t 342 

notation  oil  attached  to 339 

grade  of 332 

reduction    of 350 

retorting-  of  __ 331,  332,  336 

roasting   of 343,  350 

at  New  Almaden  mine 343 

stirring-  of,   in  retorts 332 

treatment  of,  at  New  Idria  mine 342 

Concentration  as  an  adjunct  to  existing  plants 353 

at  -Etna  mine 77,  335,  336 

Baker  mine 56,  337 

Barton    mine — 33S 

Bella-Union  mine;- 80,  337 

Big-   Injun    mino-jf' 57,  337 

Bullion  mine — 338 

Cloverdale  mine 185,  338 

Elgin   mine 332 

Great  Eastern  mine 337 

Great  Western  mine -- 58,  337 

Guadalupe  mine -- 160,  345 

Harrison   mine 205,  346 

January  mine 205,  346 

Kings  mine 51,  338 

Manzanita  mine 39,  330,  331 

Mt.    Shasta  mine — 170 

New  Almaden  mine 167,  343-346 

New  Idria  mine - 329,  339-342 

Oat   Hill  mine 89,    332-335 

Oceanic  mine 146,   338-339 

Rattlesnake  mine 337 

Socrates    mine 194,  332 

Sulphur  Bank  mine : 67-68,    346-348 

Twin   Peaks  mine 91,  337 

Wall    Street    mine — 69,  336 

Wilbur  Hill  mine 40,  337 

liy  flotation  at  New  Almaden  mine 344 

flotation  with  oils,   author's   experiments   on 300-320 

hand  rockers 57,  335 

cost  of -- — - — 332 

costs  at  Oceanic  mine 339 

estimates   of   __ — 349-350 

of    native    quicksilver 193,  337 

quicksilver  ores   __ 206 

author's  experiments  on 286-328 

on  tables  with  water --___ 294-299 

percentage  of  extraction  bv,  at  Sulphur  Bank  mine 347 

plant,    cost   of 352 

practical  applications  of,  to  quicksilver  ores  in  California 329-348 

recovery  of  metallic  quicksilver  by 344-345 

Conclusions 352 

Concrete  condensers  at  Great  Eastern  mine__ 189 

furnace   walls -- 58 

Condensation  of  quicksilver  vapors  at  New  Almaden  mine 259-261 

steps   involved  in 266 

temperature  drop  during — 266 

temperatures  for  mercury  vapors  in  furnace  gases 238 

Condensers _2  5  5-270 

at  Great  Eastern  mine 189 

for  retorts 255,  257-258,  261,  262 

large  chamber 258-270 

water-spray  in -- 191 

Condensing  system  at  New  Idria  mine 117 

Consolidated  Arizona   Smelting  Company,  cost  of  concentration  at 349 

Consumption  of  fuel  in   Scott  furnaces 239-240 

quicksilver  in  tlie  United  States 12 

Continuous-feed   retorts 215-220 

Contra  Costa  County,   quicksilver  in 41 

Cooling  agents  for  quicksilver  vapors 261 

of  gases  in  condensers 265—266 

Copperopolis,  California,  cost  of  flotation  at 350 

Cornacchino,   Italy,  concentration  at 329 

Corona  mine   __— 22,  81-82 

geological  map  of :  82 

Corros-iron  as  a  condenser  material i:^     '■.'267 

Costello   mine -_ ::"  '•  •'•157: 

Cost  data  at  Cambria  mine __'__  244 

data  at   Oceanic   mine i   244 

inclusion   of  amortization,   depreciation,   and  interest  charges   in ;    ■-     S53 

of  New  Idria  Company 119' 

of  alkaline  sulphide  solution  method 324;  325,  327 

building   pipe    retorts 212 


372  INDEX. 

Cost  data — continued.  Page 

concentration 349-350 

at  Oat  Hill  mine 332 

at    Oceanic    mine 339 

plant 332 

concrete  condensers 1S9 

fire-bricks    235 

fuel 15,  45,  57,  68,  75,  79,  86,  S3,  107,  118,  122,  131,  138,  186,  342 

fuel  oil 45,  342 

Herre=choff  furnace 252 

instMlling  alkaline  sulphide  solution  method 351 

Lander's  retort 218 

lime  for  retorting 75 

milling  at  Manzanita  mine 331 

operating 131,  144 

a   Scott   furnace 243-245 

coarse-ore  furnaces 225 

power    146 

producing  quicksilver 14,   15,    180 

production  at  Almaden,  Spain 12 

production   per  flask 128 

Scott  furnace 131,  235,  352 

square-set  stoping ; 144 

tiles  for  Scott  furnace 231 

timber 131 

in   Mayacmas  district 31 

transportation     131 

per  flask,  proUiction 337,  343 

Ccsts.  comparative,  of  furnace  and  concentration  plants 352 

of   rotary   furnace 248 

operating   60 

Cottrell  dust  precipitator -- 165,  250,  251,  252,   253 

Cowgill    mine    169 

Crawfor<l.  J.  J -- 359 

Crenshaw.  J.  L, 321,  354 

Creosote  as  a  flotation  oil 304 

Crocker- Winship  prospect -- - 197 

Crookes  &  Rohrig 210,  855 

Crown    Point    mine — 19] 

Crude  oil  fuel  for  quicksilver  furnaces 6,  49,  118,  166,  185,  189,  255 

petroleum  for  flotation 305,   314,  317 

Crushing  and  sampling  floor  in  mill  of  Department  c:     .fining.  University  of 

California  __ 286 

Crystal  claim 192 

Cuddeback    Cinnabar   Mine 47-49 

mine,  fuel  oil  used  at 16 

CulveT-Baer  Company " 191 

mine 185-186 

cinnabar  specimen  from 25 

Knox-Osborne  coarse-ore  furnace  at 220 

Cypress  Mountain   group 132 

Dana,    E.    S -- 25,  359 

J.   D. 359 

Data  on  author's  flotation  tests 305-317 

Davey   furnaces 159 

Dawson  Pit  deposit 50 

Dead  Broke  claim 181 

mine 59 

Deer  Park  mine 198 

Trail  mine 124,  133 

Doister  Concentrator   Company 294 

slime    concentrator    294,  297 

De  Kalk,   Courtenay 355,  359 

De   Launay   __ 21,  359 

Del  Norte  County,  cinnabar  in 41 

Demaiet,   Leon 360 

Denni.s,  C.  G 173,  206.  255,  262,  288,  314,  355 

W.    B.    236,  355 

Denver  cliim 1^1 

Fire  Clav  Company 3iM 

Department  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy,  University  of  California 5,  283,  286,  30(1 

Deposition  of  (juicksilver  ores 21-23 

Deposits,  form  of 23-24 

Depreciation    charges    353 

Depth  of  quicksilver  mines 14 

De  Rivero,  M.  M 355 

D.sulphurizers  in  quicksilver  assays 279,  280,   282,  284 

Diablo  Range,   Franciscan   rocks  in 197 

quicksilver   in 197 

Diamond  Creek  Cinnabar  Company 41 

Digger  Injun  claim 56 

Dike  rocks  in  St.  John's  mine 174 


INDEX.  373 

Page 

Dimensions  of  New  Idria  rotary  furnaces 248 

Scott   furnaces   234 

Dinsmore,  C.  A 355 

Discharsre   losses 241 

of  Scott  furnace 45,233 

Distillation  assays  for  quicksilver 277 

quicksilver   extracted   by 209 

tempei-ature  of  quicksilver 256 

Ditte,  A.  __ — 355 

Doelte-.  C. — 355 

Dolomite     28 

Don  Juan  mine 103 

Don  Miguel  mine 103 

Dorr   Simplex   classifier 343 

Doty  group 133 

Double  Star  prospect 186 

Draft  regulation  __ 269 

'D'   retorts — 210,  212 

Drugs,  quicksilver  in  manufacture  of 9 

Drving  of  concentiatss  at  New  Idria  mine 342 

the   ore 254-255 

Durand,    P.    E 360 

Dur-iron  as  a  condenser  material 267 

Duschak.   L.  H.__-- 206,   207,  225,  236,  241,  254,  266,  271,  278,  285,  328,   355 

Dust  from  Herreschoff  furnace 251 

Dutro  mine 73 

Duty,  import,  on  quicksilver ^ 13 

Eagle  mine 152 

Eakle,   A.    S.  — — 26,  360 

Ebenezrr,  B.  C,  minerals  of 29 

Economic  situation,  present,  of  quicksilver 12-16 

Eddv.    L.    H 334,  355,  360 

Ed-n-ards.    C.   E — 360 

Eggers.   J.   H.__ 99 

Egleston.  T. 210,  229,  24,6,  266,  329,  355,  360 

Eglestonite — 26 

El  Dorado  County,  quicksilver  in 42 

Electrical  precipitation 267 

Electric  locomotive,  tramming  ore  with 113 

oil-burners,  Ray 185 

pyrometer,  use  of,   in  quicksilver  furnace 180,  239,  342 

Electrolytic  deposition  of  mercury  from  solution 328 

Elephant  vein,  associated  minerals  of 29 

Elgin   mine 36—38 

concentration  at . 332 

native   sulphur   in 37 

Elizabeth  &  Winona  group 133 

Elizabeth  mine 126 

El  Senador  mine 161 

Emmons.  S.  P 360 

W.   H. 360 

Empire-Central   group    '- 38 

Empire  Consolidated  Quicksilver  Mining  Company 38,  53 

Engineering  and  Mining  Journal 355,  360 

Enriquita  mine -- -- 161 

Eruptive  rocks  associated  with  quicksilver  deposits 22,  156 

Eschka  assay  method 277,  278 

Escosura,   L.    de   la _- 355 

Esmeralda  Quicksilver  Mining  Company — 96,  99 

Esperanza  mine 181,  186,  322 

Livingston    furnace   at 217 

native  mercury  in 289 

ore  sample  from 289 

ore,   solution  tests  on 322 

Estimates   of  concentration  costs 349—350 

Eucalyptus    oils 303-304 

Eureka  mine — 187 

European  quicksilver  deposits,  character  and  age  of 19,  21 

war,  effect  of,  upon  quicksilver  situation 13,  14 

Excelsior  mine 82 

Exeli  coarse-ore  furnace 219,  220 

Exfoliation  of  basalt  at  Sulphur  Bank  mine 65 

Exit-pipe   temperatures   237-239 

in  Herreschoff  furnace -- 250 

Expandeil  Hue  sections -- 267 

Experimental  data  of  author  on  alkaline  sulphide  solutions 322-323 

on   flotation , 305-317 

Experiments  at  New  Almaden  mine  by  S.  B.  Christy 259 

Extraction  of  mercury  by  solution  witli  alkaline  sulphide 321-328 

percentage   of,   by  concentration 347,  352 

by  Herreschoff  furnace 253 

Scott  furnaces -- 245-246 


374  INDEX. 

Page 

Faiilianks,   TI.    W 360 

l-'air   N'iew   Kioup 50 

I-'ault'-,   iiiilueiice  of,  on  St.  John's  mine  ore  bodies 175 

Faweett,    W.    A 355 

Feed  size  for  Herresclioff  furnace 251 

rotary   furnace   249,  250 

Feust,  Arthur 355 

Fic'kert-IDurnal  mine 49 

Fiehl  -vvork  for  quicksilver  report 7 

Fine-oie   furnaces 226-254 

Finos,  effect  of,  in  coarse-ore  furnaces 226 

Fire-l>ux  regulation 240 

Fire-bricks,  cost  of 235 

FiriuK,  fuel,  resnlation  of__-- 240 

Fitzgeraltl  furnace,  or  inclined  retort 85,  216 

'Flask'  of  quicksilver  defined 10 

Flasks,  cost  of 190 

Flagstaff  mine 187 

Flint    group _-_-_ 9S 

Florence  Mack  mine 103-105 

Flotation   at   B?Ila-Union   mine — 337 

at   New   Almaden 344 

concentrates  at  New  Almaden  mine 344 

oil   attached   to -- 339 

concentration   by -- 300-320 

experiments  at  New  Idria  mine 342 

at   Oceanic   mine — 339 

fine  grinding  for,  costly 343 

machine,   K.   &   K 80 

machines,    laboratory    300-303 

practice,  large  scale 319 

Process,  The 355 

results,   resume   of 314-320 

selective,   of  pvrite,  with  cinnabar 315 

test,   froth  on -- 302 

testing  manipulation 319-320 

tests,  author's  __ -- 305-317 

oils  used  in 303-305 

Flouring  of  ciuicksilver  by  water-spray  in  condensers 192,  262 

Flow-sheet   of  Manzmita  concentrating  system 331 

of  New  Idria  plant 340 

New   Idria   revolving- furnace   plant 249 

I'^luor.spar 29 

Foil,  gold  and  silver,  for  Whitton  apparatus _  285 

Formation  of  mercury  sulphate 236 

I'ormutions,  age  of.  in  New  Almaden  district 155 

geologic,  of  middle  Coast  Ranges 17 

Form  of  ore  deposits 23.  24 

Forstner,  Wm. 7,  15,  18,  22,  30,  32,  34,  39,  53,  77,  82,  85,  86,  94,  96,  103,  125, 

126.    154,    161,    163,   202,   210,   216,   220,   223,   231.   233,   247,   261,   330,   338,    355,   360 

Fouque  &  Levy -- 365 

Fourth  of  July  mine 98 

Franciscan   formations,   quicksilver  in IS 

group    __ ^ 19-20 

rocks  in  the  Diablo  Range 197 

Francis  claims 50 

Fianklin    prospect    61 

Freezing  point  of  mercury 208 

l>"rench    Ranch    mines 105 

Fresno  County,  mines  in 43-4(! 

New  Idria  district  formsrly  in 43 

(|uicksilver  production  of 43 

]'"riction  sin-faces  in  condensers 260 

l''iuth  on  a  notation   test 302 

Fuel  c msumption  ii  Scott  furnaces 239-240 

(•onsumption    in    Herresclioff   fiii-nace 252 

costs 15,  57,  68,  75,  79,  86,  89,  107,  118,  122,  131,  138,  1S6 

feeding 240 

Fuel-oil   co.sts 45,342 

effect  of.  on  amount  of  soot  produced 274 

use  of,  in  quicksilvei-  fumacis 16,  49,  118,  166,  185,  189,  255 

Fulminate,  substitutes  for 9 

use  of  ([Uicksilver  in  manufacture  of 9 

Fume  losses  from  Scott  furnace 268-270 

traps  for  fine-ore  furnaces 241 

Fiirman's  Manual 355 

I'urnace  gases,  data  on 238-239 

temperatures -- 118 

Gabe,   W.    M 360 

Galera 29 

Gandoin,    M.    355 

(Jiungui'   mini'i-als 28.  29 


INDEX.  375 

Page 

Gases  at  Sulphur  Bank  mine 291 

furnace,    data   on-_-- 238-239 

Gas  leakage  in  coarse-oi'e  furnaces . 225 

Gasoline  motor,  ore  haulage  with 113 

Gates  table 294,295 

Geary,    J.    W 355 

General  Mines  Company 204 

Naval    Stores   Company 317 

Geograpliical  distribution  of  quicksilver  deposits 17 

Geological  map   of  Clear   Lake  district 32 

Coi'ona  mine S2 

Mayacmas    district 30 

New   Almaden   district 15  1 

New  Idria  district ;m 

quicksilver  districts  in  San  Luis  Obispo  County 12  1 

St.    John's   mine 173 

Stayton  district !)6 

Sulphur    Bank    mine 66 

Sulphur  Creek  district 33 

Geologic  formations  of  the  middle  Coast  Ranges 17 

Geology,    bibliography    on 358-362 

of  New  Almaden  district 154 

mine 161-163 

New  Idria  mine -- ^ 109-112 

Oceanic   mine 142-143 

quicksilver  deposits -- 17-24 

St.   John's  mine 173-179 

Georgia  Pine  Turpentine  Company '-- 305 

George  mine 134 

Geyser  mine 185 

Gibson,   A.  A 206,  287 

Giga.x  claims 198 

Gillan,    S.   L 360 

Gilleland,    A.    C. 303 

Gilpin  County  (Colorado)   bumping  tables 335,  336 

Glass  tube  assay  method ■ 277 

Glazed  sewer-pipe  in  condensers 180,  262 

Glenn  County,  cinnabar  in --. 46 

Gmelin-Kraut — 355 

Gold  associated  with  cinnabar -- 67 

with  quicksilver . -- 98,  109 

foil,  use  of,  in  Whitton  apparatus 285 

native    28,  29,  38 

in   Manzanita  mine — 38 

use  of  quicksilver  in  recovery  of,  by  amalgamation 9 

Goldbanks  mine,  Nevada 292,  293,  30S,  310,  312,  315,  322 

Herreschoff    furnace    at -- 253-254 

ore  sample  from . 288 

specimen   from , 25 

extreme  fineness  of  cinnabar  in .- 289,  315 

flotation  tests  on -- , 315 

solution   tests  on 322 

Goodale.  C.  W 268,  356 

Goodvear,  W.  A 160,   164,  236,  262,  329,  356,  360 

Gould,   H.  W 206,   207,   24S,   250 

mine -- -- 1  Hi 

Government  price  for  quicksilver,   1918 15 

Grade  of  quicksilver  ores  being  worked 15 

of  concentrates 332 

Grahamite 189 

Gravel-washing  plant  for  recovery  of  metallic  quicksilver 345 

Grayson  mine -- 198 

Great  Kastern  mine 22,  181,  187-190 

associated  minerals  of 29 

conce  itration    at    . 337 

drying  ore  at 255 

effect  of  oil  as  fuel  at 274 

fuel-oil  used  at -- IG 

natural  bitumen  in ■ 189 

proiuction  of 187 

soot  at 274 

Great  Falls  Copper  Plant,  settling  flue  experiments  at 268 

Great   Northern   group 190 

Great  Western  mine 22,  58 

associated  minerals  of 29 

concentration  at  __ — '■ 58,  337 

Litchfield   furnace   at 226,  234 

Griffith,  Andre  P 356 

Grigsby   mine 90 

Grinding  contact,   formation   of  mercuric  sulphide  by 324 

of  ore  at  New  Almaden  for  flotation 343 

Grizzly   claim   204 

Guadalcazaritf    _ -- 27 

Guadalcazar,  Mexico,  assjciaterl  minerals  of 2'.l 


376  INDEX. 

Page 

Guadalupe  mine 33,  154,   1.56,  157-160 

automatic  furnace  charging  at 235 

concentration   at    160,  345 

plant   of    158 

rotary   ore-drier  at 255 

Guilett,  M.  L 356 

Gypsum   29 

Halse.   Edward 356 

Hamilton,  Bfauchamp  and  Woodworth 298,315 

Hamilton.    E.    M 356 

Fletcher    206 

Quicksilver  Mining  Company 77 

W.  H. ___-- 290 

Hanks.    H.    G 329,  356 

Harrison  mine   (see  also  under  January  mine) 204 

concentration  at 346 

Hart,   T.    S 360 

Hasenclever  furnace 231 

Hastings  mine -- 171-172 

Neate  furnace  at 223 

Hays  mine : 59 

Hayward  mine 198 

Heberlein,  C.  A 241,   338,  339,   356,  360 

Helen  mine 52,  59-61,  312,  316,  322 

ore,  flotation  tests  on 316-318 

pyrite  in 317 

sample  from 290 

Helmacher,    R.    356 

Hendy,  Joshua,  Iron  Works -- 214 

Hepatic  cinnabar  __ 25 

Hernandez  Quicksilver  Mining  Company 105-107 

Herreschoff    multiple-liearth    furnace 165,  250-254 

at  Goldbanks  mine,  Nevada 253 

cost  of -- 252 

fuel   consumption    of 252 

percentage   of   extraction   by 253 

size  of  feed  for 251 

Hersam,   E.   A -- 206 

Hershev,  O.   H.__ ___-- 173 

Hillebrand,  W,  F 26,   27,  356,   360 

Hillsdale   mine 160 

Hollind.  G. 361 

Horton,  F.  W 360 

Hoover.    H.    C. 207,  356 

L.   H. 207,  356 

Hope   mine __ 191 

Hot  salino-sulpliur  springs  at  Elgin  mine 37 

springs,  association  of,  with  quiclvsilver  deposits 22,  156 

associated  with  qviicksilver  deposits  of  Sidpliur  Creek  district 32 

at   Sulphur   Bank  mine 66,67,291 

Huancavelica    mines,    Peru 161 

associated   minerals  of 29 

Kuguenin,  Kmile  __— 7,  46.  151,  204,  346,  360 

Huitzufo.   Mexico 29 

Humboldt  County,  cinnabar  in 46 

Hunttarian  copper  mines,  associated  minerals  of 29 

Htnlcv  pi-ospect -- 190 

lltittnor,    H.    J 209,  231 

Hiittner-SciHt  fine-ore  furnace  (see  also  under  Scott) 161,  231-246 

Hvde  flotation  machine 300,  317 

sub-ae'atinn  in 317 

Hvdraulic  sluicing  to  recover  metallic  quicksilver 345 

Hydrocarbons  associated  with  quicksilver  ores 23 

Ice-cream  frrezer,  use  of,  in  flotation  tests 314 

Idria,   Austria,  associated  minerals  of 29 

(■()nc?ntration  at 329 

lump  trap  at 241 

mines 161,  356 

ore  deposits  of 21,  22,  24 

sampling  at -- -- 246 

Idrialite    23 

Import  duty  on  quicksilver 13 

Imports  of  quicksilver  into  tlie  United  States 13 

Indicated  extraction  by  Scott  furnace 245,  246 

Inilicating   pyrometers   :_  239 

Inncs  fume  trap 241 

Murray 207,  264,  338,  356 

I'lsuliiti  d  walls  in  a  Scott  furnace 235 

Inlegtal  mine  __ 200,  202,  330 

Knox-Osborne  fine-ore  furnace  at 227 

Interest  charge.s 353 

Interfi'riiig  elements  to  alkaline  sulphide  methods 326 

Intc)-n-,ilio!ial    mine 198 


INDEX.  377 

Page 

Inyo   County,   quicksilver   in 46 

Ippen,    J.   A 356 

Iron  as  a  desulpluu-izer 209 

filing's,  as  a  desulphurizer 282,  284 

retort,  effect  of  excess  sulphur  on 350 

'Iron-clad'   Scott   furnaces , 231,  235 

Ivanhoe  Quicksilver  Mining  Company 169 

James  assay  apparatus 277 

G.  A. 356 

Creek  placers 82,  90 

concentration  in 335 

Creek  prospect 90 

Janda,    F.    _— 356 

Janin  furnace — 140 

Louis,  Jr. 356,  360 

January  mine  (see  also  under  Harrison  mine) 204 

concentration  at 205 

Jewess  prospect — 61 

Johnson-McKay  retort 213-215 

condensers  on -- — 257,  261 

construction  of 214 

cost  of — 1. 215 

materials  for 214 

Jory.   J.    H -- 356 

Josephine  group 134 

mine    126,  138 

Joshua  Hendy  Iron  "Works " 294 

Jurassic-Cretaceous  rocks,  quicksilver  in 18 

K  and  K  flotation  machine — SO,  337 

Karl  mine    (see  also  under  Klau) 126,135 

Scott  furnace  at 234,  254 

Keane,  C.  A 356 

Kemp,    J.    F 360 

Kentucky  mine 185 

Kerl,    B. 356 

Kern  County,  mines  in 47-49 

Keystone  mine 134 

King  Magnesite  Company ' 51 

King  of  All  group 70 

Kings  County,  mines  in 50-52 

quicksilver  production  of — 50 

mine,  concentration  at 51,  338 

Quicksilver  Mining  Company,  Ltd 50-52 

Kirchhoff,   G.   S.   C— 321,356 

Kirwan,    T.    D 290,  317,  318 

Kismet  group 135 

Klau  mine 126,  135-138 

ore  drier  at ^ 254 

retorts  at 215 

Kleinite    __-- : 27 

Klepinger,  J.  H . ■ 268,  356 

Knox,    J. 356 

Knox-Osborne    coarse-ore    furnace 220,  221 

fine-ore   furnace -- 227-228 

iron   condensi^rs -- 255,  256 

Knoxville  district 33,  52,  204 

associated  minerals  of 29 

transportation   to 33 

formations,  quicksilver  in 18 

mine    -_ 33,  82-84 

production    of -- 83 

mines,    production    of 76 

seiies  in  St.  John's  mine 174 

Knoxvillite    __ 28,  83 

Kongsbei'gite     26 

Koninck,  L.  L.  de-- 356 

Krieckhaus    volumetric   assay   method 277 

Kuss,  M.  H.__-- 356 

Laboratory  apparatus  for  flotation  tests-- 300-303 

flotation   manipulation    319-320 

"Ladder  veins' 188 

La  Joya  mine 84-86,  298 

Livtrmore  furnace  at 229 

Livingston    fui'nace   at 216,  217 

map  of -- 84 

ore  sample  from 290 

Lake  County,  mines  in -- 52-70 

(luicksilver  districts,   geological   map  of 32 

quicksilver  production  of 53 

mine -- 76.  86 

Lakes.  A. 360 

La   Libertad  mine 126.  138 

Lang.  H  rhert 356 


378  INDEX. 

Page 

Landei's   continuous   retort 217-218,  350 

lost   of 218 

W.  H. 166,  250,  274,  352.  356 

Large  chamber  condensers _258-270 

]>nwson,  A.  C 17,   18,   19,   20,   35,  206,  360 

I^enkajio  of  sas  from  coarse-ore  furnaces 225 

1.0  Coiite,  Joseph 360 

Jjelunan   mine 127 

J^clirbacliite -- 27 

Leiilier,    X'ictor 357 

Lcvifjlianiti' 27 

Lewis.    R.    S 31  1,  356 

Liebenow,  C. 356 

Lifflithouses,  use  of  quicksilver  in 9 

Lilian!    retort   217 

Lime  as  a  desulphurizer 75,   209,  284 

cost   of 75 

use  of.  in  retorting 75 

Lindblom  Bros.,  concentration  by 335 

mine    __ 82 

Lindsren.  Waldemar 18,  21,  22,  26,  46.  92,  188,  203.  360 

Linold.    M.    V 356 

Litchfield  furnace -- 226,  227.  234 

Little  Bonanza  mine 138-139 

Sulphur  Bank — 67 

Livermore  furnace — 226,   227,  229-231 

'Liver  ore' 25 

Livingston  furnace 85-86,  216-217 

Livingstonite 27 

Llewellyn   Iron  Works — 332 

Logan.   C.  A 7,   104,   125,  147,   244,   338,   361 

Lone   Star  mine 107 

Lookout   group 190 

Los  Angeles  County,   quicksilver  in 70 

Los    Pieachos  mine 105 

Peak 106 

Los  Piietos  district .. 34 

group .30 

mi.ies    -- 150-152 

Losses  at  New  Almaden 246 

))y  means  of  water 270 

from   Scott-  furnace 241-243 

of  fume  from  Scott  furnace 268-270 

Louis,   H. -- -- 361 

Low,   A.    H 277,  356 

Lowell.    F.    H -- _-- 361 

F.  L. --__ 7.  109,  361 

Lucitta  mine  __ 61 

Lucky  Boy  mine,  Utah,  mercury  selenide  in 27 

Stone   group    -- 190 

Luckhardt,    W.    G -- 291 

Lunge,  G. -- 356 

Lyman.    C.    S. - , 361 

Mactear,  James 356 

Madrone  mine 139 

Magnesite 28 

associated  with  cinnabar --_ 97 

in   serpentine 95 

Mag.iolite -- — 27 

Malmnev   mine 126.  140 

Munliattan  mine -- • 22,  33.  76,  86-87 

Knox-Osborne  coarse-ore  furnace  at 220 

tine-ore   furnace  at 227 

Manning,    Van    H -- 207 

Manzanita  mine 32,38 

associated  minerals  of 29 

concentration  at 39,  330-331 

r.  torts  at 210-212 

Map,  gi'ological.  of  Corona  mine , 82 

geological,  of  Lake  Count.v  districts 32 

Mayacm.is  district 30 

New  Almaden  district 154 

New    Idria    district 94 

San   Luis   Obispo  quicksilver  districts 124 

St.    Jolm's  mine 173 

Stayton   district   96 

Sulphur  Bank  mine 66 

Sulphur  Creek  district 33 

of   Abbott    mine 54 

Cambria  mine 129 

]..a  Jo.\-a  mine 84 

New    Almaden    mine 161 

New  Idria  mine 110 

Ociaule    mine 142 

outline,  of  California  showing  distribution  of  quicksilver  d^^-posits 17 


INDEX.  379 

Page 

Maps  of  St.  John's  mine 173^  176^  17g 

Marensite '_      28   29 

Mariconia   prospect   Z^_Z 190 

Marin  County,   quiclvsilver  in I_~  70 

Mui'ier.   F.   E -- I 3O4 

Maripcsa  County,  cinnabar  in I_  7] 

mine 105 

M  irc|uait  Rancli  prospect 140 

Mason.  R.  B 2 361 

Materials  for  condenser  construction 261,  262,  265,  267 

for  construction  of  Scott  furnaces I_       '  2.T5 

Mayacmas  district -- 30-32,   52,   181 

geological   map  of 1       '     30 

Maypole  prospect -- 61 

MeCaskey,   H.   D 13,361 

McGarrahan,  William '  36I 

McDermott,  Walter 357 

McDousall   furnace 250 

Mehu,    M.    C 357 

Melyille.    W.    H 16,361 

Mendocino  County,   ciuicksilyer  in 71 

Merced  County,  quiclisilver  in 72 

Mercey  Mining  and  Development  Company 44 

Mercur  claim   152 

Mercurial  soot,  analyses  of 272 

Mercury  Company  of  America 169 

electrolytic  deposition  of,   from   solution 328 

.s:roup   (San  Bernardino  County) ^ 123 

group   (Sonoma  County) -- 193 

minerals 25-29 

Mining  Company 193 

mist,  recovery  of 267-2^9 

native — 26 

concentration  of 193 

in  Alpine  mine 97 

Big   Injun   mine ■ 57,  288 

Cambria  mine 288 

Esperanza  mine — 186,  289 

New   Sonoma  mine: 191 

Pine  Plat  district 181 

Rattlesnake  mine -- 192 

Socrates  mine 193,  195 

Wall    Street   mine — 69 

properties  of 208-209 

selenide    — 193 

solubility  of,  in  alkaline  sulphide  solutions 321 

sulphate,   formation  of 81,  326 

sulphide,  formation  of,  by  dry  grinding 324 

telluride 203 

wet  methods  for  extraction  of , 321 

Metacinnabarite 26 

in    Culver-Baer   mine -- ^ . 185 

Hastings  mine -- 172 

New  Idria  mine 95,  112 

Reed  mine : 205 

Metallic  quicksilver,  recovery  of,  at  New  Almaden 344-345 

recovery  of,  by  Senn  amalgamator 276 

Metallurgy,   bibliography  on — 354-358 

Depaitment  of,  University  of  California 5 

of  quicksilver 206-353 

'Metamoiphic  series' 18 

Method  (if  mining  at  Oceanic  mine 143 

Mexican  mine 43 

Middletown  prospect -- 62 

Middlings  samples 1294  et  scq. 

Mieres,    Spain -- - 29 

Milburn,   Carl 151 

Milburn-McAvoy  group 150 

Military  necessity  of  quicksilver 9 

Miller,   .1.   E. 206,  287 

W.  P. 330 

Millerite 28,  29 

Milling  costs  at  Manzanita  mine ; 331 

Mill  of  D  partment  of  Mining,  University  of  California 286 

Mine  e(iuipments.  bibliography  on 358-362 

Hill  workings  of  New  Almaden  mine 162 

Mineral  Industry   __-- 357,  361 

Mini'i-alogy,    InbliogTaphy    01 358-362 

Minerals  of  mercuiy,  or  ciuicksilver _-      25-29 

Separation  Company 317,   342,  349 


380  INDEX. 

Page 

Mining  and  I-lnsineering  Review 357 

and   Sriontilic   Press 214,   357,    361 

quicksilver  quotations  in 12 

Industry 357 

inetliod  in  Oceanic  mine 143 

Reporter 357 

World 361 

Minnelialia  mine 169 

Mirabel    mine 62 

Scott   furnace  at 234 

Mispickel    __ 29 

Missouri  mine ; 185 

Mist,   mei'cury,  recovery  of__ 267-269 

Mitchell-Rolierts.  J.  F 314,  357 

Modoc  Cinnabar  Oroup 72 

County,   quicksilver  in 72 

mine 126 

Mobr  pipette,  use  of,  in  measuring  oils 303,  319 

Moisture  in  ore,  effect  of,  in  roasting 240 

Mono  County,  linnabar  in 72 

Monte  Amiatn,  Italy,  associated  minerals  of 29 

Cerm.ak-Spirek  furnaces  at 227 

condensers  at — 256 

soot   at ; 209 

Cristo  group _- 73 

Monterey  Cormt.\-,  mines  in 73-75 

group    99 

mine 93 

Montroydite     — 2S 

Moore,  G.  E 361 

Morley,  W.  A 206 

Morning  Star  mine 99 

Mother  Lode  Gold  Belt,  cinnabar  in 203 

Mountain  mine 87 

Mount  Sam  Mining  Company 61 

Mt.   Boardman   Quicksilver  Company 197,  198 

Diablo,  quicksilver  on 41 

Jackson   mine 188,  190 

Shasta   Cinnabar  Mine 169-170 

mine,   concentration  at 170 

Vernon   claim 183 

Mudrock  in  Oceanic  mine — 141 

Mulholland,  C.  A __  — 323,   324,   328,   357 

Muller,    H.    E — 357 

Multiple-hearth  furnaces 250-254 

Myrickite    -- 123 

Napa  Consolidated  mine  (Oat  Hill) 88 

associated  minerals  of 29 

County,  mines  in 76—91 

production  of --__ 76 

prospect -- 191 

Napalite 23 

Native  mercury  _- 26 

concentration  of 193 

gold  associated  with  cinnabar 28,  29,  38 

in    Big   Injiui   mine 2SS 

Cambi-ia  mine 288 

Esperanza   mine 186,  289 

New    Sonoma    mine 191 

Rattlesnake    mine — 192 

Socrates  mine 193,  195 

So'ioma   County   181 

quicksilver   (see  also  under  mercury). 

concenti-ation  of 337 

recovery  of,  by  tables 299 

sulphur  at  Sulplnir  Bank  mine 290,  346 

Neate  coarse-ore  furnace 220,   222-223 

Neill  jig  __-- 333,  334 

Neocomian   formations   18 

Nevada   Cinnabar  Company,  solution  tests  on  ore  from 326 

County,    (•innal>ar   in__ 92 

New   Ahnaden   Company 217 

district 33 

age  of  formations  in 155 

geDloglcal  map  of 154 

mine 14,  17,  24,  33,  154,  155,  156,   160-167,  262 

absorbed  quicksilver  at 242,  243 

associated  minerals  of 29 

concentration  at 167,  343-346 

condensation  of  (luicksilver  vapors  at 259-261 

cost  of  fine  griniling  at 349 

devel()|imi'nt   of  Scott    furnace  at 231 

discovc'ix-  of.   by   Andi-eas  Castillero 154 


INDEX.  381 

New  Almaden  Company — Continued.  * 

mine — continued.  Page 

Exeli   furnaces   at 220 

experiments  of  S.  B.  Clirlsty  at 246 

extraction    at 246 

flotation   concentration   at 344 

fuel   oil   used   at 16 

geology  of 161-163 

Herreschoff  furnace  at 250-253 

map  of 161 

ore    specimen    from 25 

per-Ilask  cost  production  at 343 

production  of 161 

reduction   equipment   of . 164-167 

Scott    furnaces    at 234 

soot   treatment  at 271 

treatment    losses    at 246 

window  glass  in  condensers,  at 264 

Newcomb,  B.  JVI 117,  206,  223 

R.   P. 206.   213,   332 

New  Discovery  Quicksilver  Company -- 160 

Elgin  Quicksilver  Mining  Company 36 

England  mine 204 

Guadalupe   Mining   Company 157 

Newhall,  H.  M.,  and  Company — 5S 

mine    198 

New  Idria  coarse-ore  furnace 117,  223-225 

temperature  in 225 

''       district — 34,  93,  94-95 

formerly   in   Fresno   County 43 

geologic  map  of 94 

timber  in 95 

transportation  to 95 

mine  __— __ 14,   17,  34,   93,  95,  109-115,  236 

absorbed  quicksilver  at 243 

air  circulation  in  condensers  at 265 

associated  minerals  of 29 

barrel  condensers  at 258 

classification  in  mill  of 341 

cleaning  up   condensers  at 274 

composition  of  soot 275 

concentration  at 329,   339-342 

cost  data -- 119 

flotation    experiments   at 342 

flow-sheet  of  plant  at 340 

fuel-oil   used  at — 16 

map  of 110 

metacinnabarite  in 95,  112 

new  assay  method  at 277 

operating  data -_ 11^' 

ore  transportation  at 113,  116 

orebodies  of  — — 109,  110 

power   at   . 115 

production   of 109 

reduction    equipment   of — 116-119 

revolving    furnaces    at 24  8-250 

rotary  drier  for  concentrates  at 255 

round-type  wooden  condensers  at 256,  259,   265 

sampling   at    342 

Scott  furnace  at 234 

sewer-pipe  flues  in  condensers  at 264 

soot  mill  at 275-276 

stone   condensers   at 256 

surface    plant    of 108 

transportation  to 114 

treatment  of  concentrates  at 342 

wood-n   condensers   at 256.  264 

Qu'cksilver  Mining  Company 107-120 

Newland,   D.   H 361 

New  Me:cy  mine,  condensers  at 257 

Mining  and  Development  Company 44-48 

Sonoma   mine 191 

native    mercury    in 191 

Standa'-d  table _— - 332 

Nielsen,  Niel 303 

Nifssn   groun   120 

Xikitcwka,   Russia,  quicksilver  at 22 

North   Almaden  mine 155,  168 

L,ine  mine 161 

Star  minr. 130 

Northern  Light  prospect _ 88 

Northev,  G.  V 210,   330,  357 

Norwegian  mine,  tellurides  in 26 

Nye  Ranch  deposit 46 


382  INDEX. 

Page 

Oak\iIlr  mine 80 

Oakland  mine ~ ]S5 

Oat   Hill  Leasing  Company 333 

mine 22,   30,   88-90,  292,  293,  294,  296 

(.■innabar   placers   below 82 

concentration  at 89,  332-335 

cost  pir  flask   at 337 

ore   samples    from 286,  287 

ores  favorable  for  table  concentration '  299 

production   of 76 

Scott    furnace   at 234 

use  of  liffles  at 334 

■  Occidental  and  Healdsburg  group 192 

Occident    mine 71 

Ochre,  effect  of,  on  alkaline  sulphide  solutions 323,  326 

Oceanic   district 34    125 

mine __ 124,  125,  140-146 

concentration   at 146,    338-339 

cost  of  s(iuare-set  stoping  in I44 

effect  of  introducing  air  into  condensers  at 266 

exti'action  at -- 245 

notation    experiments   at 339 

fume  trap  at 241 

geology   of 142-143 

map  of 142 

mining  method   in I43 

operating  costs  at 244 

production    of 142 

i-ectangular  wooden  condensers  at ; 260 

reduction    equipment    of 145-146 

Scott   furnace   at 229 

soot    treatment    at 271 

sub-level  slicing  in 143 

wooden    condensers   at 256 

developed  at 264 

Ohly,    Dr.   J 357 

Oil  as  fuel,  effect  of,  on  amount  of  soot  produced 274 

as  fuel  for  quicksilver  furnaces 16,  49,  118,   166.  185,  189 

attached  to  flotation  concentrates 339 

crude,    as    fuel 255 

in  St.  John's  mine 177 

flotation  concentration  by 300-320 

Oils  used  in   flotation  tests 303-305 

use  of  Mohr  pipette  in  measuring 303,  319 

Old  Cliapman  prospect 192 

Onofrite 28 

Opal 28 

Operating  costs 14,  60,  131,  144 

costs,  at  Cambria  mine 244 

at  Oceanic  mine 244 

of    Scott    furnace 243-245 

data  for  New  Idria  Company 119 

Orange  County,  (|uicksilver  in 92 

OriOjodies  in   St.   Jolin's  mine 177 

of  New  Idria   mine -- 109-112 

Ore  deposits,  age  of 18,  21 

form  of 23-24 

dressing,    bililiography   on 354-358 

drier  at  Klau  mine 254 

at  St.  Jolin's  mine 179 

Socrates    mine    ^ 194,  195 

driers    254-255 

sizing  at  New  Idria  mine 119 

Orestimlja   mine 198 

Oro  y  Plata  mine — 35 

Outline  map  of  California,  showing  distribution  of  quicksilver  deposits 17 

of  metallurgy 209-210 

Overland   group   202 

Pacific  Foundry  Company 217 

group 192 

Quicksilver   Company   44-46 

Pack.   R.   W _-_ 94 

Paint,  anti-fouling,  quicksilver  used  in 9 

'Paint'  ore 25.   287,   338 

Palisade  silver  mine,  quicksilver  in 90 

Panning   tests   for  cinnabar 329 

Parker.    K.    W 361 

Parklield  mine  (see  also  under  Patriquin) 73,  292,  293,  295,  296 

ore   simples  from 287 

Parson.s,  C.  S 314,  357 


INDEX.  383 

Page 
Patriquin    Hrothers   52 

-(^Tillott   Quicksilver  Mining  Company 73 

Louis 206,  288 

mine 73-75 

Jolmson-Mi-Kay    retort   at 214 

ore    samples   from 287 

retort  condensers  at 257,  261 

practice   at    '    75 

Patten   c'laims 90 

Pattersiin   and   Western   Railroad I97 

Peep-hoh's  in  Scott  furnace 231    239 

Fenfleld.    S.    L '  361 

Pensacola  Tar  and  Turpentine  Company 304 

Percentage  of  extraction  by  concentration 352 

by  concentration  at  Sulpliur  Bank  mine 347 

Herreschoff   furnace 253 

Scott    furnaces 245-246 

Peterson,    T.    A 288 

Petroleum 28 

as  fuel  for  quicksilver  furnaces ^ 16 

crude,  for  flotation 305,  314,  317 

in  St.  John's  mine 177 

Pevear  furnace 218 

Philadelpliia    claims 90 

Phillips.   J.   S -- 361 

W.    B. 357,  361 

Phoenix  Mines — 198-199 

Picachos   mine    . 105 

Picric  acid  as  a  fulminate  substitute 9 

Pine   Flat   district 181 

Mountain  district 34,  126 

g-roup 126,  146 

oils 304-305,  314 

Pioneer   mine    — 181,  193 

Pipe  retorts 210-215 

Pitt  mine 73 

Pittsburg   claim 181 

mine    58 

Placer  recovery  of  absorbed  quicksilver  at  New  Almaden 243 

recovery  of  cinnabar 82,    169,    201,    330,    335 

Plan  and  elevation  of  concentrating  system  at  Manzanita  mine 331 

Polar  Star  mine 147 

Pontiac  group — __ 193 

Pope   Valley   mine 77 

mines 76 

Posepn>-,  F. 361 

Potassium  chlorate  as  a  fulminate  substitute 9 

thiocyanate  solution  for  titration  method 279 

Power  at  New  Idria  mine 115 

costs 146 

Practical  application  of  the  sodium  sulphide  solution  method 323-328 

applications  of  concentration  to  quicksilver  ores  in  California 329-348 

Precious-metal    thermo-couple 239 

Precipitation  of  dissolved  mercury  by  aluminum 323,  325 

Pi'ices  per  flask 11,  15 

Production  cost  per  flask-- 128,  180,  337,  343 

Properties   of  mercury 208-209 

Providential  mine 44 

Pyrargyiite — 28 

Pyrite 28,  29 

effect  of  its  presence  on  roasting 81,  105 

in  Helen  mine  ore 290 

large  crystals  of,  in  Capitola  mine 132 

selective  flotation  of,  with  cinnabar 315 

Pyrolusite    -- 28 

Pyrometer,  electric,  use  of : 342 

on   Herreschoff  furnace 250 

recording,   use  of 118,    ISO,   239 

Quartz 28,  29 

Quaternary  age  of  quicksilver  deposits 18 

Quicksilver,    assays   for 277—285 

bibliography  on  assays,  chemistry,  etc 354-358 

on  geology  of 358-362 

deposits,   age   of 18,  21 

■  .geographical  distribution  of 17 

geology-  of 17-24 

map  showing  distribution  of.  In  California 17 

relative   shallowness   of 21 

electrolytic  deposition  of,   from   solution 328 

metallic,   recovei-y   of,   at   New   Almaden   mine 344-345 

recovery  of,  by  Senn  amalgamator 276 

military  necessity  of 9 


384  INDEX. 

Quicksilver — Continued.  Page 

min3ials 25-29 

native,  recovery  of,  by  concentration   (see  also  under  native  mercury) 299,  337 

ores,  author's  experiments  on   concentration  of 286—328 

minerals    associated    with 28—29 

practical  applications  of  concentration   to,   in  California 329-348 

prices -- 9,    11-12 

production    (see  also  under  each  county) 

in   California,    1850-1917 9-11 

properties  of 208-209 

solubility  of,  in  alkaline  sulphide  solutions 321 

uses  of 9 

'Quicksilver  series'    IS 

Quifn   Sabe  group 133 

Quotations  vs.   sales 12 

Raincr,    Roland   Sterner- 357 

Ral-ston,  O.  C 300,  319,  357 

Ramirez   Consolidated   mine 105 

Randol,  J.  B 9,  205,  231,  357,  361 

Ransome,  P.  L. -- 35,   203,   361,   362 

Rath,    G.    von 361 

Rattlesnake  mine  __ 181,   192-193 

concentration    at    337 

native  mercury  in 192 

Rav  electric  oil-burner 185,  227,   229 

Raymond,   R.   W 330,   357,   361 

Reactions,  chemical,  for  sulphide  solutions 321,  324,  325 

Realgar    __ 29 

Rearden,  Phil -- 361 

Recording  pyrometer,  use  of — 118,   239,   250 

Recovery   by  Herreschoff  furnace 253 

Red  Cloud  claim 192 

Elepliant  pi-ospect 62 

Mountain    magnesite    district -- 197 

R3ck  and  Silver  Rock  claims •-_ 62 

Reck   Quicksilver  Mining  Company 150 

Redingtonite    __ 28.  S3 

Redington  mine 76,  82 

mi  tacinnabarite   at 26 

Reduction  equipment  of  New  Almaden  mine 164-167 

equipment  of  New  Indria  mine 116-119 

of  Oceanic  mine 145-146 

of  St.  John's  mine 179-180 

of   concentrates 350 

Reed    mine 204,  205 

Regulation  of  air  in  quicksilver  furnaces 240 

of   draft   through  condenser   system 269 

Reis,    Heinrich    361 

Resume  of  flotation  results 314-320 

Retort  condensers 255,  257-258,  261,  262 

practice  at  Patriquin  mine 75 

Retorting  of  concentrates 331,   332,   336 

Retoits 210-220 

at  Big  Injun  mine 57 

Manzanita    mine    210-212 

continuous-feed     -- 215—220 

cost  of 1 212 

doubtful  economy  of 215 

limited  capacity  of 215 

size    of    212 

Revolving  furnaces 247—254 

Rhenisli    Bavaiia,    Germany 29 

Rhynchou  (lilt -W  hit  yiciji    33 

Rhyolit '.   cinn:il)ar  in — 47—48 

Richards   pulsator-classifler   341 

pulsator-rilile 34  5 

R.   H. 329.  349,  357 

Rich  Hill  prospect 63 

Rickard,   T.   A 357 

Riffled  launders,  use  of 332,   333,   334 

Riflle  unit,   steel 334 

Rinconada  group 124 

mine    147 

Rising.   W.   B -- 357 

Roasting    of    concentrates 350 

concentrates  at   New  Almaden  mine 343 

at  New  Idria  mine 342 

period   in   Scott  furnace 235 

Robbins,   H.   R 350 

Rockers,  concentration  of  cinnabar  by 57,  335 

Roger.s,   A.   F 26,  149,  361 

Rolland,  M.  G — 357 

Rosenlecher.    R. 329,  357 


INDEX. 


385 


Page 

247-250 

Rotary   furnace   •. _ 99   100 

furnace  at  Aurora  mine - 348 

advantages  of — ~~"S_~  _l     Z__249,  250 

size  of  feed  for -        247 

ore-drier    — , "  "^ I94 

roaster  at  Socrates  mine ---. -  -        -  ocq   265 

Round  wooden  condensers  at  New  Idria  mine --_-  — --oJ,  .b5 

Royal   Development   Company II~IIII"I " 204 

Ru'bv  mine  — ~ ~ 206,  291 

Ruddock,    G.    T 80.  217 

Rutherford  Mining  Company lyilllllllZI^I I 41 

Ryne   mine    

361 

Sachs,  A. — 12 

Sales  vs.   quotations 246 

Sampling  at  Idria,  Austria -      342 

New  Idria  mine - 286-291 

Samples  treated  by  author-- 93-122 

San   Benito   County,   mines   in — 93 

Countv,    production    of _ 93-96 

quicksilver    districts    m IIIIII__I 103 

mine .~r~r, r " 123 

San  Bernardino  County,  quicksilver  m _- 329 

San  Carlos  mine,  early  concentration  at ""111 115-116 

of  New  Idria  Company III__I 34,  126 

San  Carpojaro  district 357 

Sand.   H.   J.   S •---t.—  -— .- "                            124 

San  Francisco  County.   quicksiUer  m -^^-^ 

market,    quotations   on   quicksilver -^  -- -^^^ 

San   Jose  Valley   mine-- IIII~IZ--I"-- ^^^ 

ll^  £S?^S"coS^m-gi3i;;^aii^oi-qui;^Tvef  mstHcts  --^-::::::i24-ll^ 

mines  in 127 

production    of    34 

districts — — -— . 127 

quicksilver  districts,  timber  in 5^27 

transportation  to ■ 149 

San   Mateo   County,    quicksilver   in -     150-153 

Santa  Barbara  County,  mines  m _- I50 

County,  production  of IIII_I 161 

mine,    Peru 152 

water  tunnel  — _ 154-170 

Santa  Clara  County,  mines  m -__- 156 

Countv,    production    of_--- 147 

mine    (San  Luis  Obispo   County) - I60 

mine   (Santa  Clara  County) ""1111111-—- 105,135 

Santa    Cruz    mine — 124 

Lucia  Range,  quicksilver  mines  m """II 140 

Maria   mine ^J 131,  132 

Monica   claim   190 

Rita  prospect - 152 

Rosa  mine "_"■ 155,  167 

Teresa  mine 151 

Tnez  Quicksilver  Company r"IIIII 29 

Santander.  Spain  — ~  27,  356 

Schaller,    W.    T I'lIII^I 208,    328,    358 

Schnabel   &  Louis — __- 358 

Schrauf,   A.   — 355 

Schutte.   C.   N.—   -- .- T4"4rTl,'60,  79.  166,  194,  199,  226,  231-246 

"^^"fu^^cras'^a^if^xpTller-Vf-quicksTir^  HI 

at  Klau  mine - 229 

Oceanic  mine 235 

automatic   charging  of ~ ^■_231,  234 

capacity   of ~" 258-270 

condensers   for 131,  235,  352 

cost  of 231 

of   tiles   for 7-  — 7" 161 

development  of,  at  New  Almaden - 45^  233 

discharge   of 239-240 

fuel    consumption    in 268-270 

fume  losses  from "    235 

insulated  walls  in " 241-243 

losses  from . "        '  235 

materials  for  construction  of I""I_I 243-245 

operating  costs  of 237 

outline  sketch  of 245-246 

percentage  of  extraction  by IIIIII 235 

roasting  period  in 117 

small,  at  New  Idria  mine- 236-239 

temperature    distribution    m 231 

tiles  for I~III_        241 

top  losses  in ~" ~  " 232 

top  of  

25—38540 


'AS6  INDEX. 

Page 

Scott,   Robert 209,   231,   261,  358 

Screen   analyses  of  ores  tested 292,  293 

summary  of 293 

Soal  for  furnace-top  fumes 225,  241 

Seamon,    W.    A 358 

Secretary   of   War 3(52 

Selective  flotation  of  pyrite  with  cinnabar 315 

Selenide   of   niei'c  ury 27,  193 

Senator  mine  of  New  Almaden  company 161,  164 

automatic  cliarging  of  new  Scott  furnace  at 235 

notation   at   344 

I  len-esclioff    furnace    at 250-253 

I.iLiKlers  I'etort   at 217 

Senn  pan-motion  amalgamator 275,  276,  299 

Serpentine 28 

associated  witli  quicl<silver  deposits 20,  31 

cliromite  and  magnesite  in 95 

in  New  Idria  district 94 

Servia,   quicksilver   in 29 

Settling-Hue  experiments  at  Great  Falls,  Montana 268 

Sewer-pipe,  glazed,  use  of  in  quicksilver  condensers 180.  262 

vitrified,  in  condensers 180,  262 

Shallowness  of  quicksilver  ore  deposits 14,  21,  24 

Shamrock   prospect 63 

Sliaiwood,    W.   J.    254,  358 

Sliasta    County,   quicksilver   in 168 

Slielf-slit,  size  of,  in  Scott  furnace 231 

Sierra   Morena  mine 135 

Sieveking 358 

Sillman,  Benjamin -- ^    362 

Silver  Crt  ek  mine 155,  168 

foil,  use  of,  in  Wliitton  apparatus 285 

oies  witli  quicl<sil\er  ore 29 

use  of  quicksilver  in  recovery  of,  by  amalgamation 9 

Simmons  mine 87 

Simons,    Tlieodore 349,  35S 

Simplicity  of  metallurgy  of  quicksilver 209 

Siskiyou  County,  mines  in__ 169-170 

Quicksilver  Mining  Company 169 

Size  of  feed  for  rotary  furnace 249,250 

for  Herreschoff  furnace 251 

Sizes  of   Scott   furnaces 231,234 

Sizing   of   ore 119 

Skelton,    S.   S !.__  305 

'Slide'    flotation   machine 300 

Smith,   J.    P 20 

Snell  Valley  mine 91 

Snow  group — 150 

Sociates  mine -- 181,    193-195 

concentration  at 194,  332 

mercury    selenide   in 27 

native  mercury  in 193,  195 

rotary   furnace  at 194,  247 

ore-drier  at 255 

tiemannite  in 193 

Soda,  caustic,  use  of,   in  flotation 314 

Soderhjelm,   Bror 336 

Sodium   sulpliide  solution   method 321-328 

practical   application   of 323-328 

Solano  County,  mines  in 171-180 

production   of 171 

Solfataric  action,  association  of  quicksilver  ore  with 65-67 

Solidifying  point  of  mercury 208 

Solubility   of   cinnabar 23 

mercuric  sulphide  in  alkaline  sulphide  solutions 321 

Solution,  alkaline  sulphide,  ad\antages  of 351 

assay  method    277 

method  with  alkaline  sulphide 321-328 

Sonoma   Consolidated  group 191 

County,  mines  in — 181-196 

pi-oduction  of ! 182 

Sonnenscliein,    F. _   26,  362 

Soot 209 

analyses  of 272 

comiJOSition   of 271-272.  275 

mill  at  New  Idria 275 

percentage  of  mercury  obtained  from 146,  209 

recovery  of  (piicksilver  from 271 

treatment  at  New  Idria 275-276 

Southern   California    lOdison   Company 152 

Spain,    AlrnadcMi    mine   in_- 12,  14 

Spirek,  Vincenzio 227,   256,  358 

Square-set  stoping  cost  at  Oceanic  mine 144 

Squaw  and  Big  Chief  claims 195 

claim    1  SI 


INDEX,  387 

Page 

Stack  foi-  quicksilver  furnace 118 

losses _  — -- 241,    243.    269 

Standard   Oil   Company 305,  317 

Quicksilver   Company   62 

Stanislaus  County,  mines  in 197 

mine    -- 197 

State    Mining:    Bureau 5 

publications,   references   to 10 

Stayton  district 72,  93,  96 

district,  geological  map  of 96 

mine 120 

Steamboat  Springs,  Nevada,  minerals  of 29 

Steam-shovel,  use  of,  at  Sulphur  Bank  mine 346 

tuibines.  use  of  quicksilver  in__ 9 

Steel    riffle    unit 334 

Sterner-Rainer.    Roland   358 

Steward  mine 153 

Stibnite    -- 28.  29 

associated    with    cinnabar 96,  105,  121 

St.    John's-Hastings    group 30 

St.  John's  mine 30.   171.   172-180,  292,  293.  296.  312,  314,   322 

dike  rocks  in 174 

faults  in • 175 

geological  map  of 173 

geologv   of 173-179 

maps  of --_— _ 173.   176,    178 

Xeate  furnaces  at . 223 

orebodies   in   177 

ore  drier  at — 179,  255 

flotation    tests    on 314 

sample  from 288 

solution   tests  on 322 

petroleum  in _      177 

reduction   equipment  of 17 0-1  SO 

use  of  vitrified  sewer-pipe  at,  for  condensers 262 

Stoneware  pipes  for  condensers 267 

Slope  in  New  Idria  mine 111 

Stoping,  square-set  cost  of 144 

Stbvall.  D.  H 358 

Stove-iron,   flasks  of 190 

Strauss,  L.  'U' 358 

Struthers,  Joseph  — --  — 362 

'Stupp'    ___- — 209 

Sub-aeration  in  Hyde  machine 300,  317 

Sub-level  slicing  method  used  in  Oceanic  mine 143 

Substitutes   for   fulminate — 9 

Sulphate  of  mercury,  formation  of 81,  236 

Sulphide,  alkaline  solution  method,  practical  application  of 323-328 

Sulphur  Bank  mine 22,  32,  63-68,  236,  297,  312,  316,  323,  346-348 

age  of  ore  deposits  at 18 

assay  method  at 277 

associated  minerals  of 2,9 

borax  at — 63 

cinnabar   still   depositing   at — 18 

concentration    at    67-68,  346-348 

effect  of  excess  sulphur  on  retorts  at 350 

geological  map   of 66 

hot   springs  at 66 

native   sulphur   at 63,  66 

ore,  flotation  tests  on 316 

.samples  from 290-291 

solution    tests   on _^   323 

retort    condensers    at 257,  262 

Scctt    furnace    at 234 

temperatures  in 66 

Sulphur  Cieek  district -- 32-33,  52 

geological   map  of 33 

mines  in -- 36 

Sulphuretted  hydrogen  in  hot  waters  of  Manzanita  mine 39 

Sulphur,  excess,  effect  of,  on  iron  retorts 350 

high,  assay  modification  in  presence  of 280 

native    28,  29 

at  Sulphur  Bank  mine 63,  66.  290,  346 

Elgin    mine 37 

Spring  Mountain,  quicksilver  mines  in 171 

Summary  of  flotation  results 314-320 

screen   analyses 293 

table    concentration    tests 298-299 

Summit  mine    (Napa  County) 90 

mine  (Stanislaus  (bounty) l-*8 

Sunderland  mine 135 

Sunset   View   mine 148 

Sweetland.    E.    J — 358 

Symington,    R.    B 358 


388  INDEX. 

Page 
Table  concentration  tests,  sumniaiy  of 298-299 

Mountain   claim — 75 

Mountain,   Kinss  County 50 

Tables,   concentration   on 294-29  9 

Tau-ora  and  Gadins,  Borneo 29 

Tabulation  of  author's  flotation  data 306-317 

flotation,   tests  by  T.   D.   Kirwan 318 

solution    tests   data 322 

Tai'dy    claims    49 

Tartaslia    group    134 

Technical  control  of  operations 208,  243 

Toclniology  of  quicksilver,   lack  of 207 

Tehachapi,  <iuicksilver   at 47 

Telluride   of  mercury__ 26,    27,    203 

Ttmpei'atine  distrilsution  in  coarse-ore  furnace 225 

drop   during   condensation 266 

regulation  in  fine-ore  furnaces 239 

in  Herreschoff  furnace 250 

Temperatures,  condensation,  for  mercury  vapor 238 

in  Scott  furnace 236-239 

Sulphur   Bank   mine 66 

of  furnace 118 

Terlinguaite    -- ■- 28 

Terlingua.  Texas,  mercury  minerals  of 26,   27,   28 

Testing  for   flotation   jirocesses,   data  on 319-320 

Teti'anitro-methalamine   as  a   fulminate   substitute 9 

The  Quicksilver  Mining  Company 160 

Thermo-couples,  location  of,  for  pyrometer 239 

Thihuthal,  Transj'lvania _ 29 

Thiocvanate,  potassium,   solution  for  titration  method 279 

Thornhill,    E.    B 277,    324.    325,    358 

Thorn  mine — 68 

Thorpe,  T.  E -- 358 

Tiemannite -- 27,  193 

Tile  furnaces  __i -- 226 

Tiles,  cost  of,   for  Scott  furnace 231 

for  Scott  furnace 231 

Cermak-Spirek   furnace 231 

Timber  Butte  Mill,  Montana,  cost  of  flotation  process  at 349 

Timber  costs 131 

in  Mavacmas  district 31 

in  Knoxville  district 33 

New  Idria  district — 95,  114 

San  Luis  Obispo  quicksilver  districts 127 

Tirado  group 121 

Titration  assay  method 279 

Tocornalite 28 

Top  arrangement  of  Scott  furnace 232 

losses  in  Scott  furnace 241 

of  coarse-ore  fiu'naces -  225 

seal  for  coarse-ore  furnace 225 

Tramway,  aerial 113,   116,  130,  131.   14,-).   195 

Ti-ansportation  costs 114,    115,   131 

in    Mayaemas    district 32 

to  Clear   Lake  district 32 

Knoxville    district 33 

New  Idria  mine 95,  114 

San    Luis   Obispo  quicksilver  districts 34,  127 

Sulpluiv   Creek   district 33 

Tieatment   of  concentrates 350 

of  so:)t  at  New  Idria 275-276 

Ti'initro-toluol  as  a  fulminate  substitute 9 

Trinity   County,   asbestos   in 200 

County,   clwomite  in__ 200 

mines  in - 200-202 

production   of 200 

group    202 

River,   cinnabar  on 330 

Tncker,    W.    B 151 

Tul  Mi  Ching,  Korei,  flotation  at 314 

Tniiiuuuie  Countv,  quicksilver  in 203 

Turner.   11.   \V 35,  92,  203,  358,  362 

Turpentine  as  a    Dotation  oil 304 

Twin  Peaks  mine 22,91 

concenti'ation    at    91',  337 

Tyson,  P.  T 362 

Uncle    Sam    mine 61 

linion  Consti-u<-tion  Company 56 

Oil  Company 317 

United   States -- 362 

Bureau  of  Mines 207,  241,  259,  271,  328 

of  Mines  lOxperiment  Station 5 

Ciimmerce    Heiiorts    12 

<  JeolDgicul    Survey 12 

Mines   I).'\ clopment  Corporation 193 


INDEX.  389 

Page 

University  of  California,   Department  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy 5,  277,  283,   286,  300 

Ural    mine    58 

Usis    of    QuiclvSilver '  g 

Utopia    mine   68 

Vallalta,    Italy -- 29 

Vallcjo   hot  sulphur   springs 171 

mine 172 

Quiclvsilver  Mining  Company 81 

\'alley    mine    76 

Veatch,   J.   A 362 

\'elocity  of  furnace  gases 239 

Vitrified  sewer-pipe,  use  of.   in  condensers ISO,  262 

Volcanic  activity,  association  of  quicksilver  ores  witli 156 

rocks,   association  of  quicksilver  with 22 

\'olume  of  furnace  gases 238 

Vulture  mine 148 

Wagner,  R.   __ 322,  358 

Wagoner,   Luther 362 

Walker  prospect 196 

Wall  Spring  prospect 196 

Street   mine — 52,  69 

concentration    at    69,  336 

native  mercury  in__ 69 

Walls,  thickness  of,  in  Scott  furnace 235 

Waring.  C.  A 46 

Wairen    Ranch    deposit : 149 

Water,   concentration  by-- 294-299 

losses    270 

-jet  condenser  for  retort 211,  213 

-spray,  use  of,   in  quicksilver  condensers 191,  262 

Watts,    W.    L 362 

Weber,    Dr.     Rheinhardt— — 358 

Wedge  muffle-fired  furnace 250,  253,  350 

Weed,  W.  H . 19,  21,  358 

Weinsehenk,   E.    -- 358 

West  Coast  Investment  Company 84 

Western   Mercury   Company 183 

Wet  metliods  for  extraction  of  mercury 321 

ore.  effect  of,  in  furnace 254 

Whitr'.   C.   G 206,  289 

Elephant  prospect 70 

-Howell    rotary   roaster 194,  247 

Investment  Company 171 

Whitney,  J.  D.--  — — 18,  38,  59,  77,  82,  358,  362 

mine 91 

Whitton  assay  method 280-285 

furnace     218 

quicksilver-assay  apparatus ^_277,  281,  283,  284 

W.  W. 277,  282,  285,  358 

Wide  Awake  Consolidated  group 39 

Wilbur    Hill    mine 40 

concentration  at 337 

Springs  Company 40 

Wilder  claims 46 

Wilflev    table 294,  296 

William    Tell    mine 149 

Window  glass  used  in  condensers 264 

Winship-Crocker   prospect  197 

Wise's  mine 71 

Wittenbei'g   mine 149 

Wolfi'amite,   cinnabar  with 123 

Wonder  mine — lii2 

Wood,   cost   of,   for   fuel 15 

use  of,   in  condenser  construction 117,264 

Wooden  condensers 117,  258,  259,  260,  264,  265 

Wood-stave  condensers  and  flues 117,   IIS,  259,  265 

Woodworth.    S.   B 206,    298,   315 

Wriglit  mine -- 168 

X.  L.  C.   R.  Mining  Company 82 

Yale,   Chas.   G -- 362 

Yolo  Count.v.  mines  in 204-205 

production  of — 204 

Youth  of  quicl\silver  deposits 18 

Zincblende 29 

Zippe,   F.   X.  M -- 358 


38540    10-lS    2500 


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